See Etruscan art in this peaceful Renaissance villa.
This beautiful 16th-century villa is not only an oasis of culture and greenery, but it also hosts one of the finest collections of Etruscan art that Rome has to offer. If you’re looking to beat the crowds and get a taste of ancient art, this is the place to go.
Highlights
- Marvel at the stunning beauty of the villa itself, a 1500s suburban mansion built for a pope.
- Learn about the mysterious Etruscans, predecessors of the Romans, through the art and artifacts displayed in the museum.
- Relax in the villa’s peaceful gardens, far away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist center.
Tickets & Prices
Explore Villa Giulia and/or the National Etruscan Museum at your own pace with one of the tickets below. Simply purchase your tickets online or at the door, and you’re good to go. Tickets are valid for one entrance on the chosen date of your visit.
- Skip The Line Entrance – Skip the line entrance ticket to the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia.
Full Price
This ticket grants you access to Villa Giulia and the National Etruscan Museum.
- For adults over the age of 18.
Villa Ticket
This ticket grants you access to only the villa, excluding the museum.
- For adults over the age of 18.
Reduced Price
This ticket grants you access to both the villa and the museum.
- For EU and EAA citizens between the ages of 18 and 25.
Free Admission
- For children under the age of 18.
- The first Sunday of the month is free for everyone.
Additional Information:
- The villa is open Tuesday – Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (summer hours) or 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (winter hours). The last admission is one hour before closing.
- For an additional fee, you can hire an audio guide in the villa bookshop in either English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, or Russian.
What to See and Do
Villa Giulia and National Etruscan Museum tickets give you access to the following areas:
The Collection at Villa Giulia
Set inside a magnificent and ornately frescoed 16th-century Mannerist Villa, constructed for Pope Julius III, lies the primary collection of the National Etruscan Museum, which houses some of the most famous pieces of Etruscan art in the world.
The museum’s collection includes sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and funerary urns, among other things. They are arranged according to period and place of origin and spread across two floors of the villa.
One of the museum’s masterpieces is the world-renowned Sarcophagus of the Spouses, a funeral receptacle made of fired clay depicting a lounging couple with enigmatic ‘archaic’ smiles on their faces.
Other unmissable pieces are the large terracotta statue known as the Apollo of Veii and the Pyrgi Tablets: gold tablets featuring 2500-year-old texts in Etruscan and Phoenician.
The Gardens
The Villa Giulia gardens are a wonderful place to relax amidst the greenery after your visit to the museum. Among the landscaped gardens with terraces and fountains, can be found a life-size reproduction of a 4th-century temple, named the Temple of Alatri, and a monument to the nymphs, known as a ‘nymphaeum’, featuring a spectacular mosaic floor set in a water garden.
The gardens are also home to the museum restaurant, which serves local and international dishes, and a new purpose-built educational pavilion, which hosts conferences, seminars, and workshops.
The Museum
The National Etruscan Museum presents one of the finest collections of Etrurian art and artifacts in Rome and is a must-see for anyone wanting to learn about this mysterious and ancient civilization.
Look out for the museum’s masterpieces, such as the world-famous Sarcophagus of the Spouses, featuring an embracing couple with enigmatic smiles; and the 2500-year-old Pyrgi Tablets, featuring inscriptions in Etruscan and Phoenician languages on gold tablets.
The Bookshop
The bookshop sells books for both children and adults on topics relating to Etruria, Greece, and ancient Rome, as well as doubling as the ticket office for the museum. It also sells a range of souvenirs and gift products, such as postcards posters and reproductions of Etruscan artifacts.
The Educational Pavilion
Situated in one of the villa’s gardens, this new pavilion is dedicated to educational and didactic activities. It’s equipped with everything necessary to host conferences, seminars, and workshops.
If you’re interested in finding out about events happening during your stay, check out the museoetru.it website for more information.
The Restaurant
Stop for a bite to eat before you go to the museum restaurant located behind the nymphaeum. Taste local and international dishes inside a stunning glass structure immersed in the greenery of the garden.
Map & Directions (Location)
Villa Giulia is located in the north of Rome, just outside the city center. It’s situated close to Villa Borghese gardens, one of Rome’s largest parks. The easiest way to get there is by tram.
Address: Piazzale di Villa Giulia, 9
Tram: Lines 2, 3, and 19
Bus: Line 982 – Buozzi/Monti Parioli
Metro: Line A – Flaminio, then walk for 13 minutes.
National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia
Piazzale di Villa Giulia 9, 00196 Roma RM, Italy · Google Maps
Did You Know That: 3 Interesting Facts
- Since 1953, the nymphaeum has been the setting for the famous Strega Prize, Italy’s most prestigious literary award.
- The villa’s central fountain is supplied by water from the Acqua Vergine, one of Rome’s aqueducts, which also delivers water to the Trevi Fountain.
- Pope Julius III was a connoisseur and lover of the arts. He took a keen interest in the villa’s design and spent a fortune on decorating it, making it one of the most beautiful examples of Mannerist architecture.
History
- Villa Giulia was built between 1550 and 1555 by Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola for Pope Julius III. The gardens were designed by Bartolomeo Ammanati under the supervision of Giorgio Vasari. Michelangelo also contributed to some of the works.
- After Julius’ death, his successor, Pope Paul IV, confiscated all his former properties. The villa was divided up, and part of it became the property of the Apostolic Chamber.
- In 1769, the building was restored by Pope Clement XIV and used by the army for storage and quartering. It was also the seat of a veterinarian school.
- In 1870, the villa became the property of the Kingdom of Italy, which used it to exhibit materials found in the territory between the Cimini mountains and the Tiber River.
- The National Etruscan Museum was officially founded in 1889 and has remained at Villa Giulia ever since.
- Today, the villa is enjoyed by visitors from all over the world. Some come to view impressive Etruscan art. Others are looking to seek respite from the busy tourist center by visiting the mansion and gardens.