Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women

5.0 (72 reviews) 3 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

72 reviews

5.0

The tour guide holding an image of Giulia Farnese in front of Palazzo Farnese — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

4 Friends standing by an original XV CenturyCourtesan's home — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Welcome, to the most scandalous, jaw-dropping, and utterly fascinating walking tour you never knew you needed! Forget the dry history lectures—this is a tour about the women who made Renaissance Italy sizzle.

We will dive deep into the world of Renaissance courtesans, scarlet ladies who played a significant role in the politics of Renaissance Europe. Think of them as muses who inspired some of the greatest artists in history. These women weren’t just beautiful; they were resourceful.

You will meet seven unforgettable women, each immortalized in paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael. These weren’t just pretty faces—they were trendsetters, intellectuals, poets, and, in some cases, royal game-changers. Their lives were filled with passion, intrigue, and, of course, a little scandal (okay, a lot of scandal).

Expect stories of dangerous ambition and a society that couldn’t decide whether to adore or condemn these women—so naturally, it did both.

Trust me, history has never been this juicy.

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At a glance

Duration: 3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 18 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English
Operated by: Storytelling Rome Tours & Walks

Ages: Infants (0–4 years) · Children (5–13 years) · Youth (14–17 years) · Adults (18–65 years) · Seniors (66–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Guided tour

Not included

Not included: Snacks: Halfway through of the storytelling walking tour, there is chance to make a stop in a Snack Bar but the cost is not included in the tour

Itinerary

Basilica San Marco Evangelista

20 min

The tour begins with a massive statue that in 1477 was named after a famous Courtesan. The statue nowadays is indeed known as "Lady Lucrezia". This XV century woman who lived an incredibly colorful life, is the first story of this storytelling tour
Villa Doria Pamphilj

20 min

We make a stop in the courtyard of the Doria Pamphilj, to talk about our second woman named Anna Bianchini, who modeled many times for a famous italian painter known as Caravaggio.

Anna was indeed Caravaggio's first model and also the one who modeled for him most of the times
Chiesa Di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

25 min

We enter a this magnificent church which is full of important and beautiful artworks and tell we tell the story of the most successful courtesan in all of Europe, back in the early XVI Century
Basilica S. Agostino

20 min

Sant'Agostino church is another fantastic site included in this storytelling walking tour. This church is historically related to women, there's so many stories about the women in here and plus, there is the original "Virgin Mary and the Pilgrims" canvas painted by Caravaggio
Via dei Coronari

10 min

On this storytelling walking tour, we walk amongst original XVI and XV century building that back in the day, were owned by Courtesans. This is the Best Way to bing the stories to Life, since we are really able to eye-witness what their daily life was really like
Campo De' Fiori

20 min

Are you a Borgia Family fan? oh well, you will love the story of Vannozza Cattanei, mother of Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia. Her story is incredible and usually is people's favorite story in all of the tour.
Piazza Farnese

20 min

Here in Piazza Farnese, right by the beautiful Palazzo designed by Michelangelo which is the French Embassy today, the tour ends with the sad story of Giulia Farnese. We don't spoil anything but the finale of the tour is really moving...

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The meeting point for this tour is adjacent to Piazza Venezia.

In this piazza, you will see Rome's biggest monument. The locals call it the "Wedding Cake Monument," although its proper name is the "Victorian."

Facing it, you will find our meeting point, Basilica San Marco, on your right.

End point

The Scarlet Ladies walking tour ends in Piazza Farnese, a very central location adjacent to Campo de' Fiori square and very close to Piazza Navona too. Nearby the ending point of this tour there's a taxi stand, as well as many bus stops.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The itinerary of the tour is 95% accessible to wheelchairs. There's only 2 churches which are hard to get in with a wheelchair but that doesn't manage the content of the tour, since in that case we just tell the story outside of the church