Exhibitions
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Il Palatino e il suo giardino segreto Nel fascino degli Horti Farnesiani
21 mar – 18 nov 2018
For the first time an exhibition narrates one of the best-known locations of Renaissance and Baroque Rome: the famous Gardens, or Horti, created by the Farnese family on the Palatine Hill and celebrates the completion of the restoration project carried out on the garden’s aviaries.
Located inside a vast archaeological area, the exhibition’s itinerary follows the original path of the gardens commissioned by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese in the 16th century: from Via Nova, to the Roman Forum, up to the aviaries on the Palatine.
The itinerary is designed to tell the story of the Horti, from the garden’s original Renaissance landscaping by the Farnese family to the era of the Grand Tour, when they assumed that Romantic guise that enchanted Goethe, to the turn of the 20th century and the start of excavation projects to uncover the archaeological remains of ancient Rome.
Plants and trees such as laurels, cypresses, yews, citrus trees, vines and damask roses have been replanted to help recreate the garden’s former glory.
Two exceptionally valuable sculptures, The Kneeling Barbarian and Iside fortuna, part of the Farnese collection at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples, have been returned to the gardens and located inside the aviaries. Two giant busts, known as The Dacian Prisoners, which in the 17th century used to be located in the criptoporticus of the Ninfeo della Pioggia, are also a part of the exhibition.
The use of immersive technologies is a fundamental part of the exhibition. The Ninfeo della Pioggia, one of the entertainment areas built by the Farnese family, features an engaging time travel experience made possible by the use of sophisticated technology. Video mapping shows us the original layout of the Farnese Gardens, giving us vivid perspective and bird’s eye views of the garden’s vines, pergola’s and water features.
The exhibition is a chance to enjoy a small piece of Roman history at a leisurely pace compared to the more popular tourist circuits of the nearby forum and Colosseum.
Start date
Wednesday 21 march 2018
End date
Sunday 18 november 2018
Palatino
via di San Gregorio, 30
00184 Roma
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Opening times
08.30 am – 5.30 pm
From the 21st March to the last Saturday of the month (31st)
08.30 am – 7.15 pm
From the last Sunday in March (24th) to 31st August
08.30 am – 7.00 pm
From 1st to the 30th September
08.30 am – 6.30 pm
From 1st to 31st of October
The ticket shop closes an hour prior to closing time
Curated by
Giuseppe Morganti
Promoted by
Parco Archeologico del Colosseo.
Organised and promoted by Electa