Borghese Museum and Gallery. The palace, completed in 1613 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese (1576-1633) as a place to flaunt his fabulous antiquities collection and hold elegant fetes, is today a monument to 18th-century Roman interior decoration at its most luxurious, dripping with porphyry and alabaster. Throughout the grand salons are ancient Roman mosaic pavements and statues of various deities, including one officially known as Venus Victrix. There has never been any doubt, however, as to the statue's real subject: Pauline Bonaparte, Napoléon's sister, who married Prince Camillo Borghese in one of the storied matches of the 19th century. Sculpted by Canova (1757-1822), the princess reclines on a chaise longue, bare-bosomed, her hips swathed in classical drapery, the very model of haughty detachment and sly come-hither. Pauline is known to have been shocked that her husband took pleasure in showing off the work to his guests. This coyness seems curious given the reply she is supposed to have made to a lady who asked her how she could have posed for the work: "Oh, but the studio was heated." Other rooms hold important sculptures by Bernini, including David and Apollo and Daphne. The renowned picture collection has splendid works by Titian, Caravaggio, and Raphael, among others. Be sure to reserve admission at least a day ahead of time. COST: EUR8.50, plus EUR2 reservation fee; audio guide or English guided tour EUR5.