Centrale Montemartini

The Montemartini Power Plant is one of the most fascinating and unique museums in Rome, located in the Ostiense district. Inaugurated in 1997, the decommissioned power plant has been transformed into a museum of classical art, creating an extraordinary contrast between ancient Roman statues and 20th-century industrial machines. The museum houses a vast collection of sculptures, mosaics, and other archaeological artifacts from the Capitoline Museums, displayed among the turbines and engines of the power plant. This contrast between the ancient and the modern creates a unique and captivating atmosphere, offering visitors a new perspective on the art and history of Rome. Of particular interest is the boiler room, where some of the most important statues of the collection are displayed, including the famous statue of Hercules at rest and the mosaic of the four seasons. An interesting anecdote concerns the discovery of a series of statues and artifacts during the renovation works of the power plant in the 1990s. These artifacts, many of which date back to the Roman era, have been restored and included in the museum’s collection.