† ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

 Our private Raphael tour has been around since 2009, one of the first Rome tours dedicated to his legacy. We traverse the historical centre in search of major works of art by Raphael, and there are a great many waiting to be found in our magnificent museums and galleries.

 Raphael was a prolific and highly proficient painter in youth. He honed his skills in Siena and Florence then moved to Rome, where he and Michelangelo became the fiercest of rivals.

 The Sistine Chapel interwove his life with that of Michelangelo and his mentor in youth, Perugino, both of whom he imitated to establish his inimitable style.

 Born into the Court of Urbino with all the trappings of plenitude, Raphael the imitator became the greatest High Renaissance master. A painter of unquestionable natural ability, his desire to learn was unquenchable.

 Ascribed status assured him access to the works and workshops of his contemporaries. Naturally, wealthy patrons were never out of reach.

 Having learned from his painter and courtier father Giovanni Santi, then becoming a master in the court aged 17 years, Raphael spent a period of time in Siena with Pinturicchio, Città di Castello with Signorelli, and then Florence, where he was inspired by Leonardo and Fra Bartolomeo before moving to Rome.

 Donato Bramante, a distant relative, prompted Pope Julius II to help the young rising star settle in Rome, where he lived until his death. Raphael's works in the Vatican, which accelerated under Medici Pope Leo X after the passing of Julius II in 1513, are his most well known commissions.

 As Prefect of Antiquities under Leo X, Raphael sought to save the archaeological heritage of Rome, but died before he was able to do so.

 Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (b. 1483), Urbino being his hometown 203km from Rome in the region of Marche, expired from pulmonary disease (or perhaps syphilis) on April 6th, 1520. Raphael was just 37. He is buried in the Pantheon and you will see his tomb.

 As well as walking through the beautiful Raphael Rooms (Vatican Museums), we explore Doria Pamphilj Gallery, Villa Farnesina, Palazzo Barberini, the Chigi Chapel (Church of Santa Maria del Popolo), Santa Maria della Pace, Sant'Agostino and Sant'Ignazio.

 We conclude our admiration for the greatest artist to have graced Rome inside the resplendent Borghese Gallery (1 hour with guide, 1 hour self-guided).

 † WHAT'S INCLUDED

 Renaissance historian guide
 First entrance Doria Pamphilj Gallery
 First entrance Palazzo Barberini
 Pantheon (Tomb of Raphael)
 First entrance Villa Farnesina
 First entrance Vatican Museums
 First entrance Borghese Gallery

 † REVIEWS & RATINGS

 4.8 / 5 by TOM J. on OCTOBER 29th, 2024.
 Incredible tour of Raphael with Marco, a Roman local who really knows his history. Grazie!

 5 / 5 by MARTIN S. on MARCH 14th, 2019.
 Villa Farnesina was my personal favourite and not only because of Raphael - it's just a magical place. Well structured tour. Thank you all at Eternal Tours Rome.

 † PRICES & BOOKING

 Base price traveller: €699
 Add €100 per extra traveller

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