Raphael Tour Rome

Raphael was the most prolific High Renaissance master. A highly proficient painter in youth, he honed his skills in Siena and Florence before flourishing in Rome. Raphael incurred the wrath of Michelangelo and tried to save the Roman Forum, as prefect of antiquities under Leo X.

 Prices

To confirm your 'Raphael Tour Rome' booking, click Check Availability below and pay a 50 Euro deposit per person. Balance payment information will be sent with your confirmation e-mail.

1 person: 320 Euro; 2 persons: 385 Euro; 3 persons: 500 Euro; 4 persons: 515 Euro; 5 persons: 580 Euro; 6 persons: 645 Euro; 7 persons: 710 Euro; 8 persons: 775 Euro; 9 persons: 840 Euro; 10 persons: 905 Euro; 11 persons: 970 Euro; 12 persons: 1,035 Euro; 13 persons: 1,100 Euro; 14 persons: 1,165 Euro; 15 persons: 1,230 Euro; 16-50 persons: + 60 Euro per person.

 Tour Duration / Availability

Approximately four (4) hours on Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat excluding religious holidays.

 Raphael Tours Rome / Meeting Point

09:00 AM hotel pick up or on site meeting point (Piazza Navona).

 Overview

Raphael Sanzio da Urbino, Urbino being the name of the town where he was born some 145 kms outside Rome (region of Marche), died on his 37th birthday (April 6th) in 1520. Entombed in the Pantheon and revered as much in his own day as in modern times, he lived and worked at the same time as his contemporary and main rival, Michelangelo. Our private Raphael tour in Rome explains how the paintings in the Sistine Chapel interweave his life with that of Michelangelo, and the young Raphael's mentor, Perugino - both of whom he imitated in order to create his own inimitable style. We see the works of art he created in situ, explore his skills as a draftsman, and unravel the complex nature of his relationships and untimely demise from syphilis.

Born into the Court of Urbino with enviable ascribed status, Raphael, the great imitator, became the greatest High Renaissance master. A painter of immense natural ability, he possessed an unquenchable desire to learn. Family background and social status proffered him unlimited access to the works and workshops of his contemporaries, which almost certainly helped him get acquainted with patrons and powerful contacts during his career. It is a tragedy that he died at such a young age. Having learned from his painter and courtier father, Giovanni Santi, then becoming a master in the court aged 17 years, Raphael spent time in Siena with Pinturicchio, Città di Castello where he learned from Signorelli, and then Florence. His Florentine period was one of transition, there is no evidence to suggest that he ever lived there. It is more likely that Raphael was a frequent visitor to the city, if only to procure the tools necessary to carry out his work. He was greatly influenced by Da Vinci's art in Florence at the turn of the 16th century, before moving to Rome.

Donato Bramante, who was related to Raphael, prompted Pope Julius II to introduce the young rising star to Rome where he lived until his death. Raphael's creations in the Vatican, which continued under Medici Pope Leo X after the death of Julius in 1516, are of course his best known commissions, but in addition to studying the Raphael Rooms in the Vatican Museums, we also visit the Doria Pamphili Gallery, Villa Farnesina, Santa Maria della Pace, Church of Sant'Ignazio, Palazzo Barberini and the Chigi Chapel in the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, to round off this fascinating, in depth tour of Raphael. You will see the following paintings, unless they have been loaned to another gallery somewhere in the World; 'Portrait of a Young Woman' (1519), 'Loggia of Cupid and Psyche' (1517), 'Creation of the World' (1516), 'Portrait of Andrea Navagero and Agostino Beazzano' (1516), 'The Sibyls' (1514), 'The Triumph of Galatea' (1512) and all Raphael's works in the Vatican Museums.

If you would like to take our extended Raphael Rome Tour, which includes 'Portrait of a Man' (1502), 'Young Woman with Unicorn' (1506), and 'The Deposition of Christ' (1508) in the Borghese Gallery, please add a note to this effect when you book.

 The When In Rome Tours Promise

** WE TAKE CARE OF YOUR MUSEUM AND GALLERY TICKETS WITH PRIORITY NO LINES ENTRANCE
** Our prices include Doria Pamphili Gallery and priority skip the line Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tickets.

No hidden costs.
English speaking guides.
Personalized assistance.
Original articles & top stories from Italy.
Free Rome orientation & maps at our office.

Cost does not include taxi transfers. As a significant amount of walking is required, in the event of physical disabilities, we ask that you contact us before booking so that we can assess whether or not a wheelchair is needed. Later start times available on request.