Rome: Artemisia Gentileschi Private Tour & Palazzo Barberini

2 hours Free cancellation

Rome: Artemisia Gentileschi Private Tour & Palazzo Barberini, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover Artemisia Gentileschi’s extraordinary life on a private walking tour through her real Rome.

Retrace the streets where her story of assault, trial and rebirth unfolded, and discover how she became one of the most celebrated female painters of the 17th century.

The experience culminates at Palazzo Barberini, where you'll admire magnificent Baroque masterpieces with your private expert guide.

Admission tickets included.

Please be aware that some churches may close without prior notice, for reasons entirely beyond our control.

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Small Group Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 14 people
People per booking: 1–14
Guide: English
Operated by: Hili Travel s.r.l.

Ages: Infants (0–5 years) · Children (6–11 years) · Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Fully Licensed English-Speaking Tour Guide
Included: Palazzo Barberini Entry Tickets

Itinerary

Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo

30 min

Begin in Piazza del Popolo, in the quarter where the Gentileschi family lived. Artemisia grew up in the workshop of her father Orazio, a well-known painter of his time. When she was just twelve, her mother died and was buried nearby in Santa Maria del Popolo. Inside, in the Cerasi Chapel, discover two masterpieces by Caravaggio — the revolutionary painter whose work was part of the artistic world in which the young Artemisia developed her talent.
Basilica dei SS. Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso

30 min

Learn about Artemisia’s life as she was assaulted, deceived and betrayed — events that would lead to the notorious trial that changed the course of her life. Then step inside the Basilica dei Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso to see one of her paintings and uncover its remarkable rediscovery. Christ Blessing the Children was lost to Artemisia’s story for centuries, passing through collections under different attributions before eventually reaching New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sold by the Met in 1979 as the work of another artist, it was finally recognized as Artemisia’s in 2012 — here in Rome, hanging in this very church.
Castel Sant'Angelo

30 min

Walk toward Castel Sant’Angelo as Artemisia’s story reaches its most dramatic chapter: the trial of Agostino Tassi. Forced to recount the assault before a Roman court, she then had to defend the truth of her own testimony. To test her words, the judges subjected her to the sibille — cords wrapped around her fingers and progressively tightened. Even under torture, Artemisia refused to change her account. Tassi was eventually convicted and sentenced to exile from Rome. The original trial records, preserving Artemisia’s own words, still survive today in Rome’s State Archive.
Palazzo Barberini

30 min Admission included

End the tour visiting the magnificent Palazzo Barberini, home to one of Rome’s great art collections, with masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael and many others. The palace is a work of art in itself — a landmark of Roman Baroque architecture shaped by Bernini and Borromini. Admire its monumental interiors, spectacular frescoed ceilings and extraordinary helicoidal staircase as you discover the treasures within. Entry tickets included.