Palazzo Massimo
Formerly the site of the preparatory school “Massimiliano Massimo", the building was constructed in 1883-87 by Camillo Pistrucci in imitation of the noble residences of the early Roman baroque period. Exhibited in the central hall are works that illustrate the political and ideological program of Augustus, including the statue of Augustus dressed as the Pontifex Maximus from the Via Labicana and the pictorial frieze of the noble sepulchre from the Esquiline hill. The first floor offers iconographic works from the Age of the Flavians to the late Empire, with examples of the decorations used on imperial villas and aristocratic residences.In the section featuring the physical activities related to gymnasiums and public baths, visitors can admire two copies of the Discus Thrower by Myron. The following section holds important sarcophagi, including an oval-shaped work from Acilia. The second floor offers in-depth documentation on mosaic and pictorial decorations from the Ist cent. B.C. to the late Imperial Age. On the basement level, a rich coin collection is displayed, including extremely rare pieces, such as the medaillon of Theodoric, the silver piasters of the Pontifical State with views of Rome snd the four ducats of Pope Paul II. The exhibition is completed by a section on luxury in the Roman world, featuring a rich selection of jems and jewels.
Address: Piazza dei Cinquecento, 68
Take buses: 3, 4, 9, 16, 27, 38, 57, 64, 65, 75, 17, 492, 910, 105, 310, 319, 517, 613, 714, Metro A e B (Termini stop)
Openings: daily 9am - 2pm, sun 9am - 1pm, closed on monday, admission fee £ 12.000 (for Baths of Diocletian too)
Related Travel Information
Baths of Diocletian
Following the transfer of the materials to the Palazzo Massimo, massive restoration work was begun on the Baths complex (at present the rooms are open to the public on a partial, irregular basis). Rooms I-IX: exhibition of funerary materials (sarcophagi, etc.) and of artifact from the Baths themselves, or from other major public buildings, such as the decorations on the Temple of Aurelian. Rooms X-XII: temporary exhibits.
The so-called "Masterpiece Roooms" have been set aside for the Epigraphical Department, which consists of almost 10,000 inscriptions. Plans also call for the first floor of the "Michelangelo" cloister to house a
Palazzo Altemps
The Palazzo was commissioned by Girolamo Riario (1443-1488). In 1568 it passed into the hands of the Altemps family, which had it enlarged and built the courtyard. This feature of the building, without a doubt its most handsome, is credited to Martino Longhi the elder. Restoration work has been under way since 1984, and steps are being taken to arrange the exhibit. Apart from the Ludovisi Throne, which is kept in the Palazzo Massimo, the collection boasts works of great artistic value, such as the Gaul who kills himself together with his wife, a copy of an originalfrom Pergamon;
Capitoline Museums
The city's most important collection of antique art is exhibited in these museums. The collection was begun by Clement XII and added to by later popes, and is the oldes public artcollection in the world.
The museums exhibits magnificent Roman and Greek sculptures, Renaissance bronzes and paintings by Carracci, Guercino and Caravaggio. Here the original statue of Marcus Aurelius is on display (the one outside on the square is a duplicate), but also the Etruscan statue of the wolf feeding Romulus and Remus and the remains of the collossal statue of Constantine.
The museums are housed in the Palazzo dei Conservatori
Santa Sabina
After a busy day meandering through the bustling crowds of the hectic city below, a rest in Santa Sabina is well worth the trip up Aventine Hill. The quiet interior of this church is the perfect place to find solitude. Adjoining the church is the Giardino degli Aranci, a peaceful park complete with orange trees, benches and a spectacular view of Rome and the Vatican City.
Take Metro B: Circo Massimo or bus 95.
address: Via di Santa Sabina
Galleria d'Arte Antica
The National Gallery of Ancient Art in Palazzo Barberini displays a rich patchwork of of mainly Italian art from the early Renaissance to late Baroque period. You can admire canvasses by Tintoretto, Titian, El Greco, Filippi Lippi (Madonna and child, 1437) and Raphael. The building itself is maybe the most impressive feature, famous architects like Bernini, Borromini and Maderno worked on it at different times.
Take buses: 492, 204, 58, 58b, 56, 52, 53, Metro A (Barberini). Admission fee: £ 8.000
address: Via Quattro Fontane, 13
openings: tue - sat 9am - 7pm, sun and holidays 9am
