Caravaggio’s Art & Scandal: His Masterpieces in Rome’s Churches

Duration3h 30m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesGerman, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Step into the dramatic world of Caravaggio on this 2-hour private tour, where his masterpieces come to life in the very churches that inspired them. Visit Santa Maria del Popolo, Sant’Agostino, and San Luigi dei Francesi to witness Caravaggio’s bold use of light and raw emotion as you stand before The Crucifixion of Saint Peter and The Madonna of the Pilgrims. Along the way, uncover the genius and scandalous life behind the art, from duels to exile. For an even deeper dive into the Baroque era, can you choose to extend your tour with a 1-hour visit to Galleria Doria Pamphilj, where you will see two more of Caravaggio’s masterpieces among other masterpieces from artists as Velázquez, Titian, and Bernini.

Options

Regular Tour French

Three Caravaggio Churches: Select this option for a 2-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches with a French-speaking guide.

Duration: 2 hours

Extended Italian Tour

Churches + Galleria Doria P.: Select for a 3.5-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches & Galleria Doria Pamphilj with an Italian-speaking guide.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Extended French Tour

Churches + Galleria Doria P.: Select for a 3.5-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches & Galleria Doria Pamphilj with a French-speaking guide.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Regular Spanish Tour

Three Caravaggio Churches: Select this option for a 2-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches with a Spanish-speaking guide.

Duration: 2 hours

Extended German Tour

Churches + Galleria Doria P.: Select for a 3.5-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches & Galleria Doria Pamphilj with a German-speaking guide.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Extended English Tour

Churches + Galleria Doria P. : Select for a 3.5-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches & Galleria Doria Pamphilj with an English-speaking guide.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Regular Portuguese Tour

Three Caravaggio Churches: Select this option for a 2-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches with a Portuguese-speaking guide.

Duration: 2 hours

Extended Portuguese Tour

Churches + Galleria Doria P.: Select for a 3.5-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches & Galleria Doria Pamphilj with a Portuguese-speaking guide.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Regular German Tour

Three Caravaggio Churches: Select this option for a 2-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches with a German-speaking guide.

Duration: 2 hours

Regular English Tour

Three Caravaggio Churches: Select this option for a 2-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches with an English-speaking guide.

Duration: 2 hours

Regular Italian Tour

Three Caravaggio Churches: Select this option for a 2-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches with an Italian-speaking guide.

Duration: 2 hours

Extended Spanish Tour

Churches + Galleria Doria P.: Select for a 3.5-hour private tour of three Caravaggio churches & Galleria Doria Pamphilj with a Spanish-speaking guide.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

What's included

Headsets to hear the guide clearly.
Entrance fees & live guide at Galleria Doria Pamphilj (only if option is selected during purchase)
Expert live guide.

Food and drinks
Pick-up and drop-off is not included
Optional gratuities
Entrance to and a guided tour of Galleria Doria Pamphilj (unless option is chosen during purchase)

What to expect

Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo
50m

Begin your journey at Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo, a historic gem located at Piazza del Popolo. Inside, you will discover the Cerasi Chapel, home to two of Caravaggio’s most gripping works: The Crucifixion of Saint Peter and The Conversion of Saint Paul. These dramatic works highlight his revolutionary chiaroscuro technique, where bold contrasts of light and shadow intensify the emotional impact of each scene. Your guide will also explore the symbolism and technique behind these masterpieces.
20m

You will then continue to Basilica di Sant’Agostino, home to Caravaggio’s striking and once controversial Madonna of the Pilgrims. Unlike traditional depictions of the Virgin Mary, Caravaggio portrays her as an ordinary woman, welcoming two humble pilgrims with rough, dirt-stained feet. This radical departure from idealised sacred imagery was shocking in its time, yet it embodies Caravaggio’s power to bridge the divine and the human. Here, you’ll witness firsthand how his bold realism transformed religious art forever.
20m

Your next stop will be San Luigi dei Francesi, the French national church in Rome, where the Contarelli Chapel houses one of Caravaggio’s greatest triumphs: the Saint Matthew Cycle. These three monumental paintings - The Calling of Saint Matthew, The Inspiration of Saint Matthew, and The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew - unfold like a cinematic masterpiece, capturing the raw emotions of faith, doubt, and divine intervention. As you stand before these breathtaking works, your guide will reveal how Caravaggio’s dramatic storytelling and masterful use of light continue to captivate audiences centuries later.
1h · Admission ticket not included

For those eager to explore more, an optional 1-hour extension takes you to the magnificent Galleria Doria Pamphilj, a private palace brimming with artistic treasures. Here, you’ll find two more of Caravaggio’s works - Rest on the Flight into Egypt and Penitent Magdalene - displayed in an opulent setting. Beyond Caravaggio, the gallery showcases other Baroque gems by artists as Velázquez, Titian, and Bernini, providing a rare opportunity to immerse yourself into the grandeur of Baroque art.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet us at the Flaminio Obelisk in the middle of Piazza del Popolo, Piazza del Popolo, 00187 Rome. Look for a member of staff holding a yellow Touriks sign.

End point

San Luigi dei Francesi
Piazza di S. Luigi de' Francesi, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Additional information

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Entrance to and a guided tour of Galleria Doria Pamphilj is not included unless specifically chosen during purchase
Please note that Galleria Doria Pamphilj is closed on the third Wednesday of each month. As a result, the option to visit the gallery will not be available on this day
Please note that the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi is closed on the morning of the first Wednesday of each month and therefore cannot be visited during this time
Your phone should be put on silence before visiting the basilicas
Photography is allowed, but flash photography is not permitted
Pets are not allowed inside the basilica’s
Bringing food, drinks, luggage or large bags is not allowed
Modest clothing is required to enter the basilica’s (knees and shoulders should be covered)
We recommend you to bring your own headphones in order to minimise plastic waste
Wear comfortable shoes as there is a moderate amount of walking involved and you will be walking on uneven surfaces and climbing some steps and stairs
This tour is subject to weather conditions and/or liturgic-calendar events. If canceled you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
It’s recommended to have a moderate level of fitness to join this tour since there is a moderate amount of walking involved

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.