Nestled in the heart of Rome, the Colonna Gallery is the perfect destination for lovers of art as well as history buffs alike. It is considered to be one of the most important private museums in Italy and is still inhabited by the noble family the Colonnas, who are Princes and Princesses and have lived there for 700 years! Your little ones will love learning all about the Princes and Princesses who have lived here over the years, so be prepared to see them excited and starry eyed after their visit to this fascinating gallery. 

The Fascinating History of the Colonna Gallery

The Colonna Gallery was commissioned in the mid 1600s by Cardinal Girolamo I Colonna and his nephew Lorenzo Onofrio Colonna. The gallery was built on the circumstances of exalting the victory of the Christians over the Turks in Lepanto, in 1571. 

Today the Gallery boasts of a number of exhibits worth exploring. Here are three things you must visit on your tour of the Colonna Gallery.

Gallery of the Princes

Your kids will surely love exploring the Gallery of the Princes, the main room of the museum that features portraits of the Colonna family members, who were one of the oldest noble families in Rome. The room is decorated with frescoes and stucco work.

The Hall of the Apotheosis of Martin V

The Hall of the Apotheosis of Martin V, is another beautiful room that you should visit, when in the gallery. This room is named after Pope Martin V, who was a patron of the Colonna family. The magnificent room is decorated with frescoes by the Italian artist, Baldassarre Peruzzi, which depicts the apotheosis of the Pope. Here you’ll also find The Bean Eater by Annibale Carracci.

Sala degli Arazzi 

The stunning Sala degli Arazzi is a room that features a series of tapestries that were created in Brussels in the 16th century. The tapestries wonderfully depict scenes from the life of Alexander the Great.

Upper Floor of the Museum

If you visit the upper floor of the museum, make sure to visit the Chapel of the Holy Family. It features a painting of the Holy Family by Giuseppe Chiari (1654-1727).

Visiting the Colonna Gallery with Kids

Here are some things you can do to prepare your little ones for a visit to the Colonna Gallery:

Talk it out

First and foremost, it’s important to prepare your children for what they can expect to see and experience at the gallery. Talk to them about the history of the gallery and the old art on display is. Encourage them to ask questions and share their thoughts and opinions about what they see. This will make them understand the architecture of the gallery in a better sense.

Get them Involved: 

One fun activity you can do with your kids is to create a scavenger hunt or an “I Spy” game, where you challenge them to find specific pieces of art or details within the gallery. This can make the experience more interactive and engaging for kids, and can help them in developing their observation and critical thinking skills.

Inspire them to Create:

When you visit the sculpture gallery, the ancient Roman sculptures, including a bust of Marcus Aurelius and a statue of Hercules could be inspiring to the little ones. So, another idea is to have your kids create their own art influenced by what they see in the gallery. Bring along a sketchbook or a small set of art supplies, and encourage your children to draw or paint their own interpretations of the artwork they see. This can be a fun and creative way for kids to engage with the art and to express their own creativity. 

Don’t Forget to Plan Some Breaks: 

Finally, don’t forget to take breaks and to keep things fun and relaxed. The Colonna Gallery can be overwhelming for kids, so make sure to take breaks when needed and to keep things light and enjoyable. You can even plan a fun snack or meal break at the inhouse cafe(open during the summer), where you can discuss your favourite pieces of art and share your experiences together.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND AT THE GALLERY?

The gallery is open to the public only for one day a week, on Saturday mornings. The timings begin from 9 am to 1:15 pm, where they take in the last admission. So, you can spend a day if you visit the  beautiful gallery during its early opening hours. You can also request a guided tour, available three times a day (at 10 am, 11 am and 12.30pm). 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The entrance ticket for Colonna Gallery is free for kids below the age of 12. The ticket for adults costs 15 Euros for adults on Saturdays for a one hour visit, and 25 euros for a two hour visit including the apartment of Princess Isabelle. 

On Friday, the ticket to the Gallery costs Euro 30 per person. 

HOW DO I GET TO THE COLONNA GALLERY? 

The Colonna Gallery is located in the heart of Rome, Italy, near Piazza Venezia. It can easily be reached by both metro and taxis. Just get the metro to the “Colosseo” metro stop on Line B and from there it is a quick 15 minute walk to the museum. 

You can also get a taxi or call for an uber and get here in no time. 

Please get in touch with our team to book a kid-friendly private tour of the Colonna Gallery. Book HERE.