A Virtual Reality Tour of Galleria Borghese in Rome
Galleria Borghese presents Glances Beyond Time, an innovative visiting experience that unites art, history, and technology through augmented and virtual reality. Running from December 16, 2025, through March 27, 2026, this one-and-a-half-hour journey takes visitors through the museum's most celebrated spaces, revealing how they looked centuries ago and bringing lost masterpieces back into view.
The experience alternates between a traditional visit to the great works in the collection and fully immersive VR and AR sequences using Oculus Meta Quest headsets. It runs in both Italian and English, making it fully accessible to international visitors.
What You Will See
The itinerary moves through three extraordinary spaces, each transformed by immersive technology into a window onto the past.
The Room of Aeneas and Anchises
Virtual reality reintroduces the Borghese Gladiator here, a masterpiece originally part of the collection and now held at the Louvre in Paris. Visitors can see it reinstated in its original setting, restoring a more complete historical reading of the room.
The Grand Entrance Hall
The hall comes alive as it appeared in the 17th century. The walls, once entirely covered in corami — finely decorated leather wall hangings — return in their full splendor, alongside the large Trucco table, an elegant ancestor of billiards that once served as the focal point of aristocratic social life. Above, the ceiling frescoes by Mariano Rossi regain their full theatrical power.
The Loggia of Giovanni Lanfranco
On the museum's first floor, the Loggia — once open to the outdoors — breathes again through an immersive reconstruction. Visitors look out over a vivid panorama of the 17th-century Roman countryside, restoring the original dialogue between architecture, painting, and landscape.
Practical Information
Each session lasts 90 minutes. Morning and evening slots are available, and booking is mandatory. The cost is €35 plus presale fees. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time, as the tour starts strictly at the indicated hour. The experience uses Oculus headsets and is not recommended for children under 10. If you are pregnant or have vision, cardiac, or psychological conditions, consult your doctor before using the Meta Quest headset.
Dates and availability change regularly, so check the official page for the current schedule and to reserve your spot.
