A curated guide to Rome’s hidden art gems
Rome has always celebrated beautiful art, from the mosaics of the ancient city to the imaginative street art of Andrea Grandini. Visitors naturally flock to renowned galleries and iconic sights like the Sistine Chapel or the Trevi Fountain.
However, headline attractions are only part of the story. Rome repays deeper exploration for artistic adventurers. Its neighbourhoods abound with less-frequented galleries and churches adorned with sublime murals.
The challenge is knowing where to find treasures that most visitors miss. With that in mind, here are our tips for discovering Rome's hidden art gems.
Discover hidden treasures at the Palazzo Altemps
The first stopping point for intrepid art lovers is the Palazzo Altemps on Piazza S. Apollinare. Located near the hectic Piazza Navona and part of the National Roman Museum, this Renaissance palazzo hosts a superb collection of ancient sculpture. Visitors come face-to-face with Greek gods, Roman rulers and mythic heroines. All are rendered with the exquisite care that emperors demand.
Allow your imagination to vault back in time as you wander frescoed halls where light dances across marble torsos. The collection varies from solemn busts of Roman notables to soaring beasts. Every gallery is cleverly curated to blend ancient sculpture with Renaissance architecture, creating a sense of peace and harmony. It's a wonderful place to linger and wander, discovering new wonders through every doorway and stairwell.
The Altemps, Boncompagni Ludovisi and Mattei collections provide a cornucopia of Roman sculpture. But find time to view the Egyptian Collection and take a moment in the beautiful courtyard at the heart of the palazzo.
Get to know Pietro Canonica at the Villa Borghese
Most art lovers visit the Villa Borghese while in Rome, but relatively few discover the Pietro Canonica museum. Don't make that mistake. The Museo Pietro Canonica is a true hidden marvel that showcases an often-neglected modern master.
The museum space was once used to raise poultry and peacocks for the Villa's residents, but served as Canonica's studio from 1922 to 1927. In return for enjoying such a fine location, the artist promised his vast personal collection to the Villa Borghese. That legacy forms the heart of a delightful attraction.
Highlights include Canonica's intimate private apartment and the ground-floor atelier, which will enchant those interested in artistic technique. The exhibition galleries also demonstrate Canonica's remarkable versatility. Busts of kings and cultural giants mingle with lavish paintings and suggestive sketches. Beautifully presented photographs and rare art books complete an unmissable ensemble - and a unique portal into the creative life.
Centrale Montemartini - where classicism meets the industrial age
Our next recommendation juxtaposes modern and ancient in a truly unique manner. Once a power plant in the Ostiense district, Centrale Montemartini has been restored as an exhibition space. However, this is no ordinary space. Industrial equipment remains in place, sharing the spacious interior with ancient archaeological finds and artworks.
Imagine a place where marble gods stand poised beneath gleaming turbines and Art Deco steel - where past and progress coexist in perfect equilibrium. And the combinations work brilliantly. For instance, elegant sculptures from the Temple of Apollo Sosianus sit alongside complex generators. Art and industry intertwine, casting light on industrial ingenuity and ancient grandeur.
As a bonus, the museum also houses a train built for Pope Pius IX in 1859 with a palatial private carriage, a consecrated chapel and a special open section for blessing the crowds. It's an absolutely fascinating place to explore, although rarely found in must-see attraction lists. Make sure you buck the trend during your time at Corinthia Rome.
Experience Baroque master works at Santa Maria della Vittoria
After the shock of the new, our final hidden gem takes visitors back to the height of the Baroque era in the 17th century. From the outside, Santa Maria della Vittoria is elegant but unassuming. Inside light and spirit perform in perfect harmony, draping the marble interior in serenity and calm.
Most importantly, the church provides the perfect setting for Bernini's "Ecstasy of St Theresa." Located in the Cornaro Chapel, this may be the finest altarpiece in the world. Soak up the theatrical composition and the beautifully rendered figure of St Theresa of Avila. And time your visit to see the ensemble bathed in sunlight from a cleverly positioned hidden window.
Moreover, the church is well-situated to visit the Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica at the Palazzo Barberini. Fontana's "Fountain of Moses" is also close by, marking the end of the Acqua Felice aqueduct. There's no better place to complete a unique tour of Rome's lesser-known artistic attractions.
Sketch your artistic itinerary during a stay at Corinthia Rome
Rome is heaven for art lovers, and straying from the beaten path is certainly recommended. From the marble serenity of Palazzo Altemps to Centrale Montemartini’s dialogue between gods and machinery, discoveries await that most travellers miss. Enjoy them all during a stay at Corinthia Rome.
Corinthia Rome celebrates the spirit of artistic discovery, weaving elegance, creativity and unexpected touches into every visitor's experience. Stay in our luxurious surroundings and let the Eternal City reveal its secrets, one inspired encounter at a time.
