Rome Unveils a Week of Cultural Delights: Art, History, and Astronomy Take Center Stage
Rome, June 17, 2026 – From court paintings to contemporary art, and from the city’s rich history to cosmic exploration, Rome is gearing up for a vibrant week of cultural initiatives. Between June 19 and 25, the Eternal City will host a packed calendar of events, promoted by Roma Capitale, the Department of Culture, and the Capitoline Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, with activities scheduled across civic museums, guided tours, and special programs for citizens and tourists alike.
Napoleon Museum Showcases Julie Clary’s Portrait
A highlight of the week is the exhibition at the Museo Napoleonico, featuring a grand court portrait of Julie Clary Bonaparte, Queen of Naples, depicted with her daughters Zénaïde and Charlotte. This significant work, painted in 1809 by French artist Jean-Baptiste Wicar, will be on display until September 20. The exhibition is a collaborative effort between the Royal Palace of Caserta and the Capitoline Superintendence.
The painting complements the museum’s permanent collections, which include sketches and drawings by Wicar, as well as a valuable court dress once belonging to Julie Clary.
Modern Art Gallery Honors Three 20th-Century Artists
As part of the ‘Incontriamoci alla Gam’ series, the cloister of the Galleria d’Arte Moderna will host the performance ‘Invisibili trame. Benedetta, Mimì, Antonietta: tre artiste del Novecento’ on Friday, June 19. Written and performed by Gina Ingrassia, with live musical accompaniment by Gian Mario Conti, the event traces the human and artistic journeys of Benedetta Cappa, Mimì Quilici Buzzacchi, and Antonietta Raphaël, key figures in 20th-century Italian culture.
The performance will be preceded by an in-depth discussion of the three artists’ works featured in the ‘Gam 100. Un secolo di Galleria Comunale 1925-2025’ exhibition.
Villa Torlonia: Bunkers, Shelters, and the Moorish Greenhouse
Ongoing at Villa Torlonia are tours of the bunker and air-raid shelters constructed beneath the Casino Nobile during World War II. A multimedia experience narrates Benito Mussolini’s time at the residence, life in the shelters, and the bombings that impacted Rome.
Also at Villa Torlonia, visitors can explore the Serra Moresca (Moorish Greenhouse), a complex designed around 1839 by architect Giuseppe Jappelli for Prince Alessandro Torlonia. The tour also includes access to the evocative Torre Moresca (Moorish Tower).
Guided Tours: Risorgimento and Aurelian Walls
Among the free activities for Roma Mic Card holders, the Museum of the Roman Republic and Garibaldine Memory will offer a special tour on June 20, focusing on artistic activism during the Roman Republic of 1849. The session will delve into the contributions of Risorgimento artists like Gerolamo Induno, who directly documented the wartime events.
On June 23, one of the ‘Passeggiate romane’ (Roman Walks) will take place, featuring a guided tour of the Bastione Ardeatino and the Aurelian Walls, accompanied by a LIS interpreter.
Planetarium Offers Shows for All Ages
The Planetarium of Rome continues its program with shows dedicated to astronomy and space exploration. Scheduled events include ‘Ritorno alle stelle’ (Return to the Stars), ‘Interstellari – Il viaggio delle sonde Voyager’ (Interstellar – The Journey of the Voyager Probes), ‘La magia dell’aurora boreale’ (The Magic of the Northern Lights), and ‘Crociera nel cosmo’ (Cruise in the Cosmos).
Activities for younger audiences are also available, such as ‘Girotondo tra i Pianeti’ (Roundabout Among the Planets) and ‘Il Dottor Stellarium alla scoperta della luna’ (Doctor Stellarium Discovers the Moon), designed to introduce children and families to the mysteries of the solar system.
The program is subject to change. For information, reservations, and access details, please contact 060608.
Source: https://www.lacapitale.it/articolo/a-roma-una-settimana-tra-arte-storia-e-astronomia-tutti-gli-eventi-culturali-dal-19-al-25-giugno
