Within the museum of the Villa Borghese is one of the most prestigious collections of sculptures and paintings in the world. Once owned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese who, between 1606 and 1619 built the villa to display his acquisitions, the 12-room gallery is packed with priceless treasures by Bernini, Canova, Raphael, Rubens, Caravaggio and others. The grounds – the largest park in Rome – are stunning with beautiful statues and fountains. The Garden of the Lake stretches around an artificial lake with a small temple dedicated to Aesculapius on an islet, and a 17th Century copy of the arch of Septimius Severus.
