The Borghese loan, and what it means for a Rome date
RaphaelRaphaelRaphael (1483 to 1520) painted the four Raphael Rooms in the Vatican for Julius II and his successors and is buried in the Pantheon. His Transfiguration hangs in the Vatican Pinacoteca.'s Lady with a Unicorn is travelling. According to Artribune, the painting leaves the Galleria BorgheseGalleria BorgheseThe Galleria Borghese is the state museum in the Borghese villa holding Bernini's sculptures and the Caravaggio paintings collected by Cardinal Scipione Borghese. Entry is by reserved two-hour slot only. for the MUST in Vimercate in Lombardy, on view from 29 October to 11 December 2026, free of charge, after its run at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. It is the first time the work is shown in Lombardy.
The Galleria Borghese is a timed-entry museum. Tickets sell in two-hour slots and the collection is small, so a single loan visibly changes what a room holds. If you are building a trip around the Borghese Gallery, treat a confirmed Raphael room as the thing to verify, not to assume. Check the official Borghese Gallery pages before booking, and ask about room closures at the ticket desk on arrival.
What is on in Rome in October
Rome's own programme that week runs in the opposite direction, bringing objects in rather than sending them out. Rome Jewelry Week holds a show and awards at Santo Spirito in Sassia in the historic centre, running 8-11 October, as ANSA reports.
Santo Spirito in Sassia sits close to the Vatican walls, so it pairs naturally with a Vatican Museums morning rather than a separate trip. Allow roughly half an hour for the show and more if you want to read the labels.
The rest of the week's Italian art news is Milan and Naples, not Rome. Skip it if Rome is your only stop.
Booking notes for the Borghese
Book the Borghese online, in advance, and pick the slot before you plan the rest of the day. Arrive early for security, leave bags behind and expect a short walk from the entrance gate to the building. For collections that stay in Rome, the Capitoline Museums and Palazzo Barberini absorb a change of plan more easily, because neither depends on one loan.
Best tours and tickets in Rome Museums
Curated selection. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Rome: Borghese Gallery & Gardens Small Group Guided Tour
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour
Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes
Frequently asked questions
Which Raphael painting is leaving the Borghese Gallery?
When can I see it in Vimercate?
Does that mean the Borghese Gallery is closed?
Do I still need a timed ticket for the Borghese Gallery?
What is happening in Rome during the same week?
Where is Santo Spirito in Sassia?
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Read more →Editorial summary produced with AI support and reviewed. Information can change. Verify anything important with the official venue or operator before you act. Spotted an error? Use the contact form and we will correct it.
All prices and times on this page are ESTIMATES and change often. They are a starting point from an independent editor, never official or guaranteed figures. Always check the final price and the opening hours with the official venue or operator before you book or travel.
