Torlonia Collection – Rome

The Torlonia Collection is one of the most important private collections of ancient art in the world.

The Torlonia family, very rich textile merchants, began the collection in 1800, with the acquisition of Bartolomeo Cavaceppi’s collection, which had been increased throughout the nineteenth century, thanks to further acquisitions and excavation campaigns carried out in the lands owned by the family.

The collection, consisting of sarcophagi, busts and Greek and Roman statues of high value, was exhibited from 1859 at the Accademia dei Lincei: the museum was not open to the public, but only some Roman aristocrats could have access. Only in 2016, the State and the Torlonia Foundation signed an agreement with the aim of creating a museum, not yet built, specifically dedicated to the preservation of the exceptional collection.