Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

The National Roman Museum at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is one of Rome’s hidden gems, a place where history and art intertwine in a fascinating journey through the centuries of ancient Rome. Located near Termini station, in Largo di Villa Peretti, the palace was built between 1883 and 1887 by architect Camillo Pistrucci. Originally intended to house the Jesuit College, the building was acquired by the Italian state in 1981 and transformed into a museum after a radical renovation, opened to the public in 1998. Entering Palazzo Massimo is like flipping through a beautifully illustrated book on Roman civilization. The collection, organized on four floors, is one of the richest and most varied in the world, offering visitors an immersive experience among sculptures, frescoes, mosaics, coins, and everyday objects from ancient Rome. On the ground floor, visitors are greeted by a series of extraordinary sculptures. Among these, stand out the “Boxer at Rest” and the “Hellenistic Prince”, two bronze masterpieces that testify to the influence of Greek art on Roman art. The “Boxer at Rest”, in particular, is a sculpture that strikes with its intense expressiveness: the marked face and muscular body tell the story of the fatigue and glory of an ancient athlete. Next to these works, there are the “Lancellotti Discobolus” and the “Discobolus of Castel Porziano”, two Roman copies of the famous statue by Myron, symbols of the ideal of beauty and physical perfection of the time. Moving to the first floor, the journey continues with a rich collection of imperial portraits and sarcophagi. Among the most significant pieces are the statue of “Augustus as Pontifex Maximus” and the “Portonaccio Sarcophagus”. The latter, decorated with battle scenes, represents an exceptional example of Roman funerary art, used to celebrate military victories and the heroism of the deceased. The variety of expressions and details in the imperial portraits offers a fascinating insight into the propaganda and self-promotion of Roman rulers. The second floor is dedicated to frescoes and mosaics, offering a privileged window into the daily life and domestic aesthetics of ancient Rome. The frescoes from the Villa of Livia at Prima Porta and the Villa della Farnesina are among the most beautiful and best preserved. The vivid details of landscapes and domestic scenes transport the visitor into the private world of Roman elites, where luxury and sophistication were the order of the day. These frescoes not only decorated the walls of homes but also reflected the taste and culture of their owners. The museum’s basement houses the numismatic and jewelry collection, with a wide selection of coins, medals, and precious ornaments. This section is essential for understanding the economy and daily life of ancient Rome. Among the objects on display, there are refined jewelry and coins from various eras, offering a glimpse into the complexity and wealth of Roman society. The variety and quality of the objects on display demonstrate the skill and ingenuity of Roman artisans. One element that makes the National Roman Museum at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme unique is its ability to tell the story through an exhibition that follows a chronological and thematic criterion. Each room is designed to offer an immersive experience, with setups that evoke the original context of the artifacts, similar to the crowded collections of the 16th century. This approach allows visitors to better understand the evolution of Roman art and culture, immersing themselves fully in history.