To many people, Rome is known as “A world heritage site” because of the vast history within this gorgeous city and throughout Rome’s museums. Rome’s history spans over two thousand five hundred years; it was once known as the powerhouse of Europe. As the birthplace of the Roman Empire, Rome is one of those cities of the world with a rich cache of history, literature, and art. Rome is categorized as the planet’s third most toured traveler destination.

Galleria Borghese Museum | Bernini’s artwork

The name Galleria Borghese in the Villa Borghese Gardens is almost identical with the art gallery. This gallery of art is amongst the most popular and memorable art museums in Italy. The gallery is known for showcasing some of the trendiest works belonging to some of the most reputed Italian artists and painters of their times. The Galleria Borghese Museum is famous for its paintings and other renowned artwork. Some pieces that you cannot afford to miss include: Apollo and Daphne by Bernini, Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix by Canova, Boy carrying a Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio, Sacred and Profane Love by Titian, and Melissa or The Enchantress Circle by Dosso Dossi

Capitoline Museum | One of the oldest museums

This museum is recognized as one of the world’s oldest museums. This gallery was founded in the 15th century and has supported the growth of culture and art in Italy ever since. There are two palaces in the gallery: Palazzo Dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo. The latter is famous for its compilation of the ancient Roman sculptures and Greek artwork while the former is known for paintings of many Greeks, poets, scientists and politicians. There are several masterpieces painted by Tintoretto, Van Dyck, Veronese, and many others.

Vatican Museums | One of the most popular Museums

In a nutshell, the Vatican Museum is a haven of the most divine and pristine collections of religious and art relics in the world. Established by Pope Julius II at the start of the 16th century and developed by succeeding popes, you are in for a great treat here. At the Vatican Museums, you will discover the Sistine Chapel, one of the world’s most renowned tourist attractions. Also, the Vatican Museums houses many priceless works of art such as the “Raphael Rooms”, and other galleries of tapestries, frescos, and sculptures.

MAXXI Museum | Rome Museum

MAXXI or National Museum of Art of the 21st Century is Italy’s melting pot of modern art, and the first Roman museum devoted to contemporary art. MAXXI saw its highest number of tourists (300,000) in 2013. The structural blueprint itself was designed by Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi architect, and it measures 290,626 square feet. The collection in this museum includes works by William Kentridge, Kara Walker, Alighiero Boetti, Ed Ruscha, and Gilbert and George, among others.

National Gallery of Modern Art | Rome Museum

This gallery has a collection of modernist and neo-classical art and has been in its current building since it opened its doors in 1881. The gallery was designed by a draftsman known as Cesare Bazzani. The compilation includes works from most of the major artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries such as Guttoso, Goya, Morandi, Blake, Rossetti, Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, and Monet, just to mention a few.

While the best galleries and Rome museums will always be a matter of personal opinion, these museums fascinate both locals and first time visitors to Italy due to the large quantities of invaluable art, treasures, and sculptures.