The family, whose umbrella name of Doria-Pamphilj embraces the families of Doria, Pamphilj, Aldobrandini and Landi, is an illustrious and wealthy one, with Popes and Princes among its members. The Galleria Doria Pamphilj was once the home of Pope Innocent X, who belonged to the Pamphilj family.

An English heritage line runs in the family and the quarter-English Princess Orietta Pogson Doria Pamphilj and her English husband were responsible for the restoration of the family’s art collection. The collection was opened to the public soon after the collection was restored. Some of the seventeenth century artists represented here includes Annibale Carracci, Jan Bruegel, Caravaggio, Gaspard Dughet, Guido Reni, Claude Lorrain and Guercino.

In addition to paintings, the Galleria Doria Pamphilj also houses fine sculptures by Bernini and Algardi. Some of the sculptures in the Galleria Doria Pamphilj collection date from ancient times; the gallery also boasts interesting antique furniture and furnishings on display. The gem of the collection housed at the Galleria Doria Pamphilj is a portrait of Pope Innocent X, painted by Velázquez.

Some of the other much appreciated works at the Galleria Doria Pamphilj include works such as the:

• Salome with Head of John the Baptist by Titian
• Carracci’s Mary Magdalene
• Saletta del Cinqecento by Raphael
• Madonna in Adoration of the Child by Reni and St. Joseph by Guercino

Rome art

Located off Via del Corso at the Piazza del Collegio, the Galleria Doria Pamphilj is open between 10 am and 5 pm seven days a week. You can also request a private tour of the gallery. Admission costs €9 for adults.

On Friday we started with a trip through the cities cafés, bars and pubs, because many bars provide astonishingly diverse offers. The cocktail bars in which you only can drink beer, dance or surf in the Internet or disco pubs with live music or board games evenings are no rarity.

But we have seen also a lot of comfortable, unconstrained and inviting Wine bars where one can take small snacks to the excellent wine. Examples of them are the “Trimani Il Wine bar”, the “Cul de Sac” in the Piazza Navona, the “Cavour 313” or the “Spiriti” in the pantheon.

Finally we ended in numerous beer houses (mostly Scottish and Irish), furnished in English style and always well-visited. Here we enjoyed the great variety of beer and culinary specialties from Central Europe. In bars like the “Birreria Marconi”, to the pubs “Four Green Fields or Fiddler’s Elbow”, the “Birreria to Santi Apostol”i or the “Victoria House” it is possible to spend beautiful evenings with good conversation, live music, darts, billiard and of course alcohol. We have been staying there till 3 a.m. … but that is NOT the end!

Do you know that Rome has a huge number of night clubs? Our night ended at 7 in the morning and 3 clubs more. Discos like the “Gilda”, “Jackie O” and the “alibi”, are for providing a for the beginning of the 80s typical atmosphere. Elegant clothes are welcome and the audience exists of VIPs, politicians and actors. We have never seen so many celebrities in one place and it was really interesting to see and hear that they can be “normal” people like you and me, or like my friends and me.

In Rome, one of my favourite markets and one which is held every month goes by the name of La Soffitta Sotto i Portici. This excellent takes place twice a month in Piazza Augusto Imperatore with many dozens of stalls and sellers.

The market is free to visit and the next one takes place on 20 Jul 2008.