A palace overlooking Piazza Navona
Just steps from Piazza Navona, between the square and Campo de' Fiori, stands Palazzo Braschi, an imposing 18th-century palace that houses the Museo di Roma (Museum of Rome). It was the last great palace built in Rome by a papal family, and today it tells the story of the city through paintings, sculpture, furnishings and photographs, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Its position, between Piazza Navona and Piazza San Pantaleo and facing Piazza di Pasquino, makes it a perfect stop in the heart of the historic center.
Palazzo Braschi was built in the late 18th century for the family of Pope Pio VI (Giovanni Angelo Braschi), to a design by the architect Cosimo Morelli. It is considered the last example of a grand papal noble palace in Rome. After several changes of fortune, in the 20th century it became home to the Museo di Roma, devoted to the life, art and transformation of the city across the centuries.
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What to see at the Museo di Roma
The Museo di Roma tells the story of the city through its art and everyday life, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Here's what not to miss on your visit.
The monumental staircase
The first masterpiece is the entrance itself: the monumental staircase of Palazzo Braschi, with its red granite columns, statues and stuccoes, ranks among the most beautiful noble staircases in Rome. Climbing it alone is worth the visit.
The views and paintings of Rome
The heart of the collection is the views (vedute) and paintings that capture Rome across the centuries: squares, monuments, festivals, processions and scenes of everyday life. They're an extraordinary time machine that shows what the city looked like before the great 19th-century transformations.
Portraits, furnishings and costumes
The museum also preserves:
- Portraits of popes, nobles and figures from the Rome of centuries past.
- Furnishings, ceramics, carriages and objects from the aristocratic families.
- Costumes and clothing that tell the story of Roman fashion and society.
- Historic photographs documenting the Rome of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and the city's urban transformations.
The temporary exhibitions
Palazzo Braschi is also one of the most important exhibition venues in Rome: its halls regularly host major temporary exhibitions devoted to artists, photographers and themes tied to the city. It's worth checking which show is on when you visit, as it can change both the ticket price and the hours.
How to plan your visit
In roughly 1 to 1.5 hours you can see the best of the collection:
- The monumental staircase at the entrance
- The views and paintings of Rome
- The noble portraits and furnishings
- Any temporary exhibition currently on
- The view over the center, between Piazza Navona and Pasquino
Tickets and opening hours
Tickets
The Museo di Roma at Palazzo Braschi is part of Rome's Musei Civici system. Admission costs very little (full and reduced rates; amounts are indicative, so check the official website), and the price often rises when a temporary exhibition takes over the palace's halls. Discounts apply to the usual categories, and entry is generally included or reduced with the Roma Pass.
Opening hours
The museum is usually open Tuesday to Sunday, straight through from morning to late afternoon; Monday is normally the closing day (hours are indicative, so check the official website). The ticket office typically closes one hour before the museum. Hours can change during exhibitions or holidays.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Open | Tuesday to Sunday, straight through |
| Closed | Monday (usual closing day) |
| Ticket office | Closes about one hour before the museum |
| Admission | Inexpensive (full and reduced); higher for temporary exhibitions |
| Roma Pass | Valid — entry included or reduced |
Roma Pass and reduced admission
If you plan to visit several museums, the Roma Pass can pay off: it includes or discounts admission to the Musei Civici, including the Museo di Roma. On certain promotional days (city-wide initiatives, for example) entry to the Musei Civici can be free for residents: check the current conditions on the official website. Booking usually isn't required for the permanent collection, but for major exhibitions it can be a good idea.
How to get there
Palazzo Braschi sits in the heart of Rome's historic center, between Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori, facing Piazza San Pantaleo and Piazza di Pasquino, along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. It lies inside a pedestrian and limited-traffic zone (ZTL), which makes it wonderful to explore on foot but trickier to reach by car.
On foot
The best way to get there is on foot: everything in the historic center is close by. It's one minute from Piazza Navona, a short walk from Campo de' Fiori and the Pantheon, and easy to reach from Largo di Torre Argentina, a major public-transport hub.
By bus and tram
The reference stop is Corso Vittorio Emanuele / Sant'Andrea della Valle, served by numerous bus lines that cross the center. Just steps away, Largo di Torre Argentina is a big bus and tram interchange (line 8), convenient from many parts of the city.
By metro
There's no metro stop right in the historic center: the closest are Barberini or Spagna (Line A) and Colosseo (Line B), from which you continue on foot or by bus. That's why, in the heart of Rome, buses and taxis/NCC are often more practical than the metro.
By car and with a private driver (NCC)
The area is a ZTL with strict limits on traffic and parking: arriving in your own car is not recommended. With a private driver (NCC) the visit is far more comfortable: he drops you as close as possible to the entrance, manages the ZTL and any waiting, ideal for pairing Palazzo Braschi with Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori, or a transfer to/from your hotel or the airport.
Practical tips and itinerary
- Check online before you go: confirm hours and which temporary exhibition is on; the show can change the ticket price.
- Skip Monday: it's usually the closing day.
- Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for the collection, easily combined with the surrounding squares.
- Prime location: Palazzo Braschi pairs perfectly with a stroll through the center.
Nearby, all just steps away:
- Piazza Navona and the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
- The Pantheon and its surrounding squares.
- Campo de' Fiori and its market.
- The talking statue of Pasquino, right next to the palazzo. We've dedicated a separate guide to it: Pasquino, the talking statue.
Frequently asked questions
What is Palazzo Braschi? An imposing 18th-century palace beside Piazza Navona, the last great papal palace in Rome, now home to the Museo di Roma, devoted to the history of the city.
What can you see at the Museo di Roma? The monumental staircase, the views and paintings of Rome, portraits, furnishings, costumes and historic photographs that trace the life and transformations of the city from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, plus frequent temporary exhibitions.
How much does it cost and when is it open? Admission is inexpensive (full and reduced), sometimes higher for temporary exhibitions; amounts are indicative, so check the official website. It's usually open Tuesday to Sunday, straight through, and closed on Monday, with the ticket office closing about an hour earlier.
Is the Roma Pass valid? Yes: the Museo di Roma is part of the Musei Civici, so entry is generally included or reduced with the Roma Pass.
How do I get there? On foot is best — it's one minute from Piazza Navona. By bus, the reference stop is Corso Vittorio Emanuele / Sant'Andrea della Valle, with Largo di Torre Argentina nearby. The metro doesn't reach the historic center, and the area is a ZTL, so your own car is not recommended; a private driver handles the ZTL and drops you as close as possible.
How much time do you need? About 1 to 1.5 hours for the collection, easily combined with Piazza Navona and the historic center.
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