Turning to the hill Palazzo Farnese stands on, you can see two flights of stairs and a large square below one of the most impressive buildings that has ever been built in Italy. Isolated but, at the same time, harmoniously integrated with the surrounding area, visually connected to the town and dominant over it, the Palace is framed by the Via Diretta which widens as it leads into the square in front of the main facade. The building was commissioned, in the 1520s, by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, the future Pope Paul III. Designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and Baldassare Peruzzi, it was conceived as a fortress of pentagonal shape, with scarp walls, huge corner bastions and a moat. Its construction was interrupted around 1534 by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese’s appointment as Pope. The resumption of work took place about twenty years later thanks to the eldest grandson of Pope Paul III, who was also Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. His intention was to make his grandfather’s fortress a sumptuous and magnificent residence, entrusting the design to Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola. In 1573, the year of the architect’s death, the building, considered his masterpiece, was nearly complete. Respecting the pentagonal base, the interior spaces are spread over five floors around a circular courtyard. The best painters of the day worked inside the sumptuous residence and, the themes of the frescoes were inspired by the scholar, Annibal Caro.
Opening times
8:30am to 7:30pm (last entry 6:45pm)
The park closes one hour before sunset.
Park hours detail
January: last entry 3pm (closing 4pm)
February: last admission 3:30pm (closing time 4:30pm)
March*: last entry 4pm (closing 5pm)
April through September: last admission 6pm (closing 7pm)
October*: last admission 5pm (closing time 6pm)
November and December: last admission 3pm (closing time 4pm)
*Until summer/solar time change.
Jan. 1, Dec. 25 except for special openings on MiC project.
In case of inclement weather, the park remains closed.
Full at closed park € 8.00
Reduced € 2.00 (EU citizens 18 to 25 years old)
Free (0 to 18 years old)
Additional concessions and free admission can be found on the Mic website.
Tickets can be purchased in cash at the museum ticket office.
The introduction of electronic payment is being completed.
According to Decree Law June 1, 2023, No. 61, Art. 14, extended by Decree Law Aug. 10, 2023, No. 105, Art. 10, from June 15 to Dec. 15, the indicated rates will be increased by 1 euro to support the flooded areas of Emilia Romagna.
Groups of maximum 35 people plus guide are allowed to enter. The use of radio guidance systems (whisper) is recommended and mandatory for groups over 25 people.
For Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, reservations are required for groups at the dedicated number +39 0761 646052, Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm.
Inside the gardens and monumental park, it is recommended to wear comfortable footwear suitable for paths with unevenness and unevenness.
It is possible to take photos without flash and without a tripod for personal use only.
Animals are prohibited except guide dogs for the blind and service dogs for people with disabilities.
There are vending machines for water, snacks and hot drinks at the ticket office.
By bus – direct connections from Rome-Saxa Rubra or from Viterbo and surrounding areas.
A bus and RV parking lot is located about 500 m from the museum.
Palazzo Farnese
Piazza Farnese, 1
01032 Caprarola (Vt), Italy
tel. +39 0761 646052
