Description: During our half day in Rome, we wanted to just walk around the city and see some sites we hadn't seen in past visits. A couple hours after arriving we walked past a poster on the streets announcing a big Caravagio exhibit. I'd remembered reading about this very important exhibit when it opened a few months back.
Because it was the first exhibit of its kind honoring the influential painter, the crowds that flocked to the exhibit when it initially opened were quite large. But I had hoped that the lines would be shorter now that it had been open for a few months.
We walked to the Piazza del Quirinale which is in the city center on the top of the highest of the seven hills of Rome. The view from the Piazza is amazing and on all sides there are beautiful and important buildings. Unfortunately, the lines at the Scuderie del Quirinale (the old stable building, which houses most special exhibits) were extremely long...so we passed on Caravaggio, and instead went to tour the Palazzo del Quirinale.
This palace was built in 1583 as a papal residence. Later it became the royal palace for the Italian kings, and currently serves as the house of the president. It was quite interesting to see what is in effect, Italy's "white house".
Although the official hours states that its open on Sundays 8:30-12:30 for a 5euro admission fee, we were there on a Friday afternoon and there was a special art exhibit with some pieces from the Medici family in Florence - so it was open and free! What a deal!
We enjoyed the tour, as well as catching the show of the changing of the guards in the inner courtyard. If you're in the area, definitely check to see if there's a special event or exhibit - it's worth a visit.
Palazzo del Quirinale
Piazza del Quirinale
http://www.quirinale.it/qrnw/statico/palazzo/palazzo.htm
Open: 8:30a-12:30p Sun
Admission: 5euro
+39 06 46 991
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