MUSEUMS

22 hot spots recommended for you

Ara Pacis, All Areas The museum was the first building to go up in the centro storico since World War II; Meier was given the commission by fans on the city council, not by way of a public contest; and he came up with a design that Romans either love or hate. Shiny white with acres of glass, it's definitely more of a statement than the little Fascist-era box that previously contained the beautiful Augustan altar with its delicately carved friezes. Meier's museum gives this exquisite work the breathing space it lacked before: Finally, visitors can stand back and admire the lower frieze of swirling acanthus leaves and, above, the delicately carved, wind-blown drapery in the togas and cloaks of Augustus and his family as they join a procession to mark the inauguration of the Ara Pacis itself. The museum was the first building to go up in the centro storico since World War II; Meier was given the commission by fans on ... [ + more ]

Castel Sant'Angelo, All Areas Once the tallest building of Rome, this Fortress was built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian (AD130-139), but it has also been a prison and a papal residence. The National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo tells its history, housing various exhibits ranging from Renaissance paintings and pottery to antique military weapons. A huge spiral ramp ascends upwards the Castel Sant Angelo for about 400 feet. Don't miss the glorious view from the terrace and enjoy a coffe in one of the rampart towers. Once the tallest building of Rome, this Fortress was built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian (AD130-139), but it has also been a prison ... [ + more ]

Crypta Balbi, All Areas Probably the most-overlooked museo nazionale Romano, this museum is well known for remains of the Theater of Balbus (13 B.C.), the ruins and also the modern museum located above. The Crypta Balbi is built around the ruins of medieval and Renaissance structures, themselves set atop the ancient Teatro di Balbus (13 BC). Duck down into the underground excavations, then examine artefacts taken from the Crypta, as well as items found in the forums and on the Oppio and Celian Hills. Probably the most-overlooked museo nazionale Romano, this museum is well known for remains of the Theater of Balbus (13 B.C.), the ruins and also the ... [ + more ]

Galleria Borghese, All Areas Galleria Borghese contains a superb art collection, including some of Baroque genius Gian Lorenzo Bernini's finest works: Note how Pluto's fingers press into the goddess's thigh in his Rape of Persephone (1622) and how the fleeing nymph's fingers metamorphose into laurel branches in Apollo and Daphne (1625). Also here are works by Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, Giorgione, Rubens, and Pinturicchio (the Borgheses sure liked their masterpieces). When it all gets too much for the kids, an unspectacular but well-intentioned zoo is a short stroll across the park. Galleria Borghese is one the most popular attractions in Rome and one of the finest private collections of art in the world. Villa Borghese Art Museum is located in what was at one time called the Villa Borghese Pinciana. When you visit the Galleria Borghese, you can also expect to see some of the earliest and most impressive sculptures by Bernini. In addition to the widely recognized sculptures, there are three busts including that of Pope Paul V, uncle to the brilliant sculptor’s first patron. Two of the most famous Bernini sculptures in the Galleria Borghese are The Great Amalthea with the Infant Jupiter and A Faun and Apollo and Daphne. Galleria Borghese contains a superb art collection, including some of Baroque genius Gian Lorenzo Bernini's finest works: Note how Pluto's fingers press into the goddess's ... [ + more ]

Galleria Doria Pamphilj, All Areas Colse to Piazza Venezia, the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj includes a large art collection housed in the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. The principal entrance for this palace is on the Via del Corso. Here houses one of Rome’s richest private art collections, with works by Raphael, Tintoretto, Brueghel, Titian, Caravaggio, Bernini and Velázquez. Aldobrandini Room and the Primitives Room, is where the major part of the masterpieces of the Doria Pamphilj family’s private art collection is placed. You can also see the Aldobrandini Gallery (1st wing), the Gallery of Mirrors (2nd wing), the Pamphilj Gallery (3rd wing) and the Fourth Wing. Colse to Piazza Venezia, the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj includes a large art collection housed in the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. The principal entrance for this ... [ + more ]

Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, All Areas The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art is today a museum with two hearts. The first is the Museum's connection to the past. Its cultural history is intertwined with that of the Italian State which achieved complete political unity only in 1870 with the establishment of Rome as its capital. The first half of the 19th Century was a period of great political and cultural ferment and this is the foundation upon which the Museum stands. On the other hand the Museum, since its founding in 1883, has always looked to the present. It's mission being to represent "living" art. The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art is today a museum with two hearts. The first is the Museum's connection to ... [ + more ]

Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Corsini, All Areas The Palazzo Corsini is a prominent late-baroque palace in Rome, erected for the Corsini family between 1730-1740 . Located in the Trastevere section of the city, nowadays the palace hosts some offices of the National Academy of Science (Accademia dei Lincei) and the Galleria Corsini. A most see are the gardens are part of the Orto Botanico dell'Università di Roma "La Sapienza", a botanical garden. The collection of paintings, particularly the period between the fourteenth and eighteenth centuries, was born from the donation to the state of the private collection of Cardinal Blacks Maria Corsini collection in the eighteenth century. It contains works by Fra Angelico, Rubens, Murillo, Luca Giordano. The Palazzo Corsini is a prominent late-baroque palace in Rome, erected for the Corsini family between 1730-1740 . Located in the Trastevere section of ... [ + more ]

Il Palatino (The Palatine), All Areas Sandwiched between the Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana is a tall grey building that houses the Museo Palatino. Downstairs are human remains and artefacts from the earliest communities of Rome, founded in the Forum and Palatine areas from the ninth century BC. Room 2 has a model of an eighth-century BC wattle-and-daub hut village. Emerging from the floor are the foundations of Domitian's dwelling. Upstairs are busts, gods and some fascinating eave-edgings from the first to the fourth centuries AD. Sandwiched between the Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana is a tall grey building that houses the Museo Palatino. Downstairs are human remains and artefacts from ... [ + more ]

MACRO, Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, All Areas MACRO - Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Roma, opened in 2002 but a monumental extension by French architect Odile Decq (Venice Biennale laureate) hosts visitors since Autumn 2010. MACRO mostly focuses on young Italian and international artists, for instance, on June 1, a new cycle of artists will comprise American artist Jacob Hashimoto, or Portuguese João Louro, among others. The MACRO's permanent collection includes a selection of some of the most significant expressions of the Italian art scene since the 1960s, such as the group Forma 1 with the works by Carla Accardi, Antonio Sanfilippo, Achille Perilli, Piero Dorazio, Leoncillo and Ettore Colla; the Arte Povera with Mario Ceroli and Pino Pascali. The gallery collect works by such artists as Giovanni Albanese, Andrea Aquilanti, Gianni Asdrubali, Domenico Bianchi, Bruno Ceccobelli, Sarah Ciracì, Enzo Cucchi, Fabrice de Nola, Gianni Dessì. Both museums are publicly owned, however, MACRO belongs to the city of Rome, while MAXXI depends on the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture. They differ in size, with MACRO being much smaller than MAXXI. MACRO - Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Roma, opened in 2002 but a monumental extension by French architect Odile Decq (Venice Biennale laureate) hosts visitors since ... [ + more ]

MAXXI Museo nazionale delle arti del 21 ° secolo, All Areas The MAXXI is a national museum dedicated to contemporary creativity, located in the Flaminio neighbourhood of Rome. Opened in 2010 the star of the museum still is, Zaha Hadid’s stunning €150 million, 27,000 sq m gallery, universally hailed as a triumph of modern architecture. The multi-layered geometric facade gives the gallery an impressive impact. It has a small permanent collection but more interesting are the temporary exhibitions and installations – check the website for details. The collection includes works by Alighiero Boetti, William Kentridge, Kara Walker, Ed Ruscha, Gilbert & George, Gino De Dominicis, and others. The MAXXI is a national museum dedicated to contemporary creativity, located in the Flaminio neighbourhood of Rome. Opened in 2010 the star ... [ + more ]

Mercati di Traiano, All Areas The Trajan's Market is a large complex of ruins located on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, close to the Colosseum. You can see the structure of Trajan's Forum representing the way of life in the ancient Roman capital. Considered the world's oldest shopping mall, the arcades in Trajan's Market are now believed by many to be administrative offices for Emperor Trajan. The shops and apartments were built in a multi-level structure, and it is still possible to visit several of the levels. Highlights include delicate marble floors and the remains of a library. The Trajan's Market is a large complex of ruins located on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, close to the Colosseum. You ... [ + more ]

Musei Capitolini a Centrale Montemartini, All Areas This abandoned factory was converted into a museum in 1997 during the restructuring of the Capitoline Museum complex. The Centrale Montemartini has a permanent collection comprises 400 ancient statues, moved here during the reorganisation of the Capitoline Museums in 1997, along with tombs, busts, and mosaics from between the 1890s and 1930s. The collection’s highlights are in the Sala Caldaia, where a giant furnace provides a suitably impressive backdrop. Two of the most beautiful pieces are the Fanciulla Seduta and the Musa Polimnia. This abandoned factory was converted into a museum in 1997 during the restructuring of the Capitoline Museum complex. The Centrale Montemartini has a ... [ + more ]

Museo delle Mura, All Areas This museum is situated inside the S. Sebastiano Gate of the Aurelian Walls. As the enter of Via Appia Antica, the 5th-century Porta San Sebastiano is the largest of the gates in the Aurelian Wall. The Museo delle Mure shows the history of the wall and gives you the chance to walk along the top of the walls for around 50m. In 1989 the Museum of the Walls of Rome was officially instituted on the decision of the Municipal Council, according to the Regional Law of 1975, and the following year the current educational displat opened. This museum is situated inside the S. Sebastiano Gate of the Aurelian Walls. As the enter of Via Appia Antica, the 5th-century Porta San ... [ + more ]

Museo di Roma Palazzo Braschi, All Areas A rotating collection displayed over two floors recounts the evolution of the Eternal City from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. Paintings and drawings include portraits of Roman movers and shakers, and views of what the city looked like before 17th- and 19th-century building projects, such as the banchine flood walls along the Tiber, dramatically changed it. Palazzo Braschi is a large, late Roccoco palace in Rome, Italy, designed by Cosimo Morelli. It is located between Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori (and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II), and the Piazza di Pasquino. It presently houses the civic museum of Rome (Museo di Roma). It was designed by Cosimo Morelli and built over a number of decades of the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. The main entrance is on Via San Pantaleo (between Piazza Navona and Corso Vittorio Emanuele). The oval hall at the main entrance overlooks via San Pantaleo, and leads to the monumental staircase with its eighteen red granite columns coming from the gallery built by emperor Caligula on the banks of the Tiber. Along the staircase there are ancient sculptures and fine stuccoes, inspired by Achilles’ myth. The architect Giuseppe Valadier probably contributed to its execution. A rotating collection displayed over two floors recounts the evolution of the Eternal City from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. [ + more ]

Museo Nazionale D'Arte Orientale Giuseppe Tucci , All Areas Established in 1957, the museum also khown by MNAO was open to the public in 1958 and is dedicated to the arts of the Orient, from the Middle East to Japan. Recently dedicated to Giuseppe Tucci because of his contribution for it's foundation, he was one of the most important orientalists in twentieth-century. Housed in the 19th-century Palazzo Brancaccio, here you can see a wide collection of Near and Far Eastern artefacts. The collection starts on a high with some exquisite items from Iran and Central Asia, such as Iranian glassware dating from the 5th to 6th century BC, and goes on to the ancient settlement of Swat in Pakistan, 12th-century homewares from Afghanistan, The museum is located in via Merulana 248, and displays artifacts in 14 rooms. A few new rooms are expected to open soon: last one, the Korea room, opened in June 2010. Established in 1957, the museum also khown by MNAO was open to the public in 1958 and is dedicated to the arts of the Orient, ... [ + more ]

Museo Nazionale Etrusco, All Areas The National Etruscan Museum is a museum of the Etruscan civilization. Italy's finest collection of pre-Roman Etruscan treasures is considerately presented in Villa Giulia, Pope Julius III's 16th-century pleasure palace. Exhibits, many bronze figurines and black bucchero tableware to temple decorations, terracotta vases and a dazzling display of sophisticated jewellery. Must-sees include the terracotta funerary monument, the almost life-size Bride and Groom (the so-called Sarcofago degli Sposi, or Sarcophagus of the Spouses), reclining as if they were at a dinner party. Don't miss also the Etruscan-Phoenician Pyrgi Tablets, the Apollo of Veii, the Cista Ficoroni and the Tita Vendia vase. The National Etruscan Museum is a museum of the Etruscan civilization. Italy's finest collection of pre-Roman Etruscan treasures is considerately presented in Villa Giulia, ... [ + more ]

Palazzo delle Esposizioni, All Areas After a dazzling five-year makeover, it emerged in 2007 with an exceptional cultural offer: art labs, bookshop, cafe, library , a multi-functional room known as the Forum. glass-roofed restaurant and many more. Aneoclassical exhibition hall, the Palazzo delle Esposizioni functions as a cultural center and museum. a After a dazzling five-year makeover, it emerged in 2007 with an exceptional cultural offer: art labs, bookshop, cafe, library , a multi-functional room known as ... [ + more ]

Palazzo Spada, All Areas Located in the centre os Rome, the Palazzo Spada is a palace with a large art collection, the Galleria Spada. The central attraction of this 16th-century palazzo is Francesco Borromini’s famous perspective in a 25m-long corridor lined with columns leading to a hedge and life-sized statue is, in fact, only 10m long. Upstairs, the four-room Galleria Spada houses the Spada family art collection, with works by Andrea del Sarto, Guido Reni, Guercino and Titian. Even if you don't go into the gallery, step into the courtyard and look through the glass window of the library to the colonnaded corridor in the adjacent courtyard Located in the centre os Rome, the Palazzo Spada is a palace with a large art collection, the Galleria Spada. The central attraction ... [ + more ]

St Sebastianí²s Catacombs, All Areas One of the smallest Christian cemeteries, this has always been one of the most accessible catacombs and is thus one of the least preserved (of the four original floors, the first is almost completely gone). The caves and the tunnels of the mines were used for pagan and Christian rectangular wall tombs (loculi), as well smaller tombs (colombari) used to house urns. At least two residential buildings were constructed above ground, especially noted for their interior wall painting decorations. In the Capella delle Reliquie you’ll find one of the arrows used to kill him and the column to which he was tied. On the other side of the church is a marble slab with Jesus’ footprints. The Catacombe di San Sebastiano were the first catacombs to be so called, the name deriving from the Greek kata (near) and kymbas (cavity), because they were located near a cave. Here you can see whole and fragmentary collected sarcophagi (mostly of 4th century date) were found in excavations. One of the smallest Christian cemeteries, this has always been one of the most accessible catacombs and is thus one of the least preserved (of ... [ + more ]

Terme di Diocleziano, All Areas With a capcaity of 3000 people,the Terme di Diocleziano is a complex of baths, libraries, concert halls and gardens that was ancient Rome's largest. The baths were built between the years 298 and 306. Although many baths in and around Rome had the same elements, the Baths of Diocletian are unique by their size. Many of the rooms have been preserved because various parts later were converted to ecclesiastical or other use, including: the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, the church of San Bernardo alle Terme in the main hall, part of the Museo Nazionale Romano the 'octagonal aula', also now part of the National Roman Museum. With a capcaity of 3000 people,the Terme di Diocleziano is a complex of baths, libraries, concert halls and gardens that was ancient Rome's largest. [ + more ]

Vatican Museum, All Areas It would take weeks to do full justice to the overwhelming Vatican Museums, a 15-minute walk around the Vatican walls from the square, so choose the highlights that appeal to you. Besides the Sistine Chapel—with Michelangelo's Last Judgment (1512) on its altar wall and Creation (1535) on its ceiling, plus a veritable who's who of Renaissance greats on the side walls—areas not to miss are the Pinacoteca, with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael; the rooms frescoed for Pope Nicholas V by Raphael; and the Pio-Clementino museum with its peerless collection of ancient sculpture. Kids will enjoy the mummies in the Egyptian museum. Contained within the vast labyrinth of the Vatican Museums (it’s often referred to in the plural because each section is considered a different museum) there are treasures from Egypt, the Near East, and Etruria (the Etruscans pre-dated the ancient Romans in Italy), including some sculptures which the ancient Romans even considered ancient (which is saying something). And of course there’s the Sistine Chapel, perhaps the most famous painted ceiling on earth. It would take weeks to do full justice to the overwhelming Vatican Museums, a 15-minute walk around the Vatican walls from the square, so choose ... [ + more ]

Villa Farnesina, All Areas The Villa Farnesina is a Renaissance suburban villa in the Via della Lungara, in the district of Trastevere in Rome. This gorgeous 16th-century villa features some awe-inspiring frescoes by Sebastiano del Piombo, Raphael and the villa's original architect, Baldassare Peruzzi. The most famous frescoes are in the Loggia of Cupid and Psyche on the ground floor, which are attributed to Raphael, who also painted the Trionfo di Galatea (Triumph of Galatea) in the room of the same name. On the 1st floor, Peruzzi's dazzling frescoes in the Salone delle Prospettive are a superb illusionary perspective of a colonnade and panorama of 16th-century Rome. The Villa Farnesina is a Renaissance suburban villa in the Via della Lungara, in the district of Trastevere in Rome. This gorgeous 16th-century villa ... [ + more ]