Goethe House in Rome: museum, collection and visitor information

Why visit the Goethe House in Rome

The Johann Wolfgang von Goethe House, located at Via del Corso 18 near Piazza del Popolo, preserves the legacy of Goethe’s Roman stay (1786–1788) and operates as an active museum promoting Italian-German cultural exchange. Opened in 1997, it is the only German museum abroad and offers collections, temporary exhibitions and bilingual cultural programming.

Collection and exhibitions

The museum’s holdings include works and documents related to Goethe’s Italian journey: paintings, drawings, prints, books, autographs, sculptures, photographs and installations. The permanent exhibition is centered on “Goethe in Italy” and is complemented by rotating shows curated by the museum’s specialists.

• Historic works connected to Goethe’s Roman period
• Contemporary responses by German and Italian artists inspired by the journey
• Documentary materials: letters, manuscripts and sketches

A notable highlight is the portrait of Goethe by Andy Warhol (1982), inspired by Tischbein’s famous depiction of the poet in the Roman countryside.

Libraries, research and cultural programs

The House hosts two important libraries: the Deutscher Künstlerverein Library and a reference library of around 8,500 volumes. Scholarships, lectures, readings and conferences support ongoing Italian-German cultural dialogue.

Practical visitor information

• Address: Via del Corso, 18 – Rome
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (closed on Monday). Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
• Services: guided tours, bookshop, reference library
• Contacts:
  • Website: www.casadigoethe.it
  • Phone: +39 06 32650412
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Social: official YouTube, Instagram and Facebook channels

Visitor tip: check the official website in advance for updates on opening times, temporary exhibitions and entry conditions.