National Roman Museum

The National Roman Museum was established in 1889 to preserve and showcase the remains of ancient Rome. It houses the most important archaeological collection in the world, gathering artifacts discovered during excavations in the city and its surroundings. This institution is spread across four landmark sites in Rome, each offering a different perspective on Roman history, in settings ranging from Antiquity to the Renaissance. The sites are accessible with a combined ticket.

The four sites of the National Roman Museum

• Palazzo Altemps: Piazza di S. Apollinare, 46, 00186 Roma
• Palazzo Massimo alle Terme: Largo di Villa Peretti, 1, 00185 Roma
• Baths of Diocletian: Viale E. de Nicola, 78, 00185 Roma
• Crypta Balbi: Via delle Botteghe Oscure, 31, 00186 Roma

Casa della Farnesina, Palazzo Massimo

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is the largest and most visited of the four sites of the National Roman Museum. This 19th-century palace hosts an exceptional collection of Roman frescoes, mosaics, and sculptures, including the famous garden fresco from the Villa of Livia and the Lancellotti Discobolus. The museum’s four floors trace the evolution of Roman art, from imperial portraits to ancient jewelry and coins.
Next, the Baths of Diocletian, built in 306 AD, represent the largest thermal complex in ancient Rome. Today, this site houses the epigraphic section, with funerary, administrative, and religious inscriptions, as well as a partial reconstruction of the baths themselves.
The Palazzo Altemps, a jewel of Renaissance architecture, presents ancient sculptures from private collections, such as those of the Ludovisi and Altemps families, including the Ludovisi Throne and the Dying Gaul.
Lastly, the Crypta Balbi, although more modest, offers a unique insight into Roman urban planning through archaeological excavations revealing historical layers, from the Theatre of Balbus (1st century BC) to medieval and modern structures. This site illustrates the transformation of Rome through the centuries.

Museo Nazionale Romano

Visiting conditions

Tickets to visit the National Roman Museum

Places of the National Roman Museum

• National Roman Museum
  The National Roman Museum was established in 1889 to preserve and showcase the remains of ancient Rome. It houses the most important archaeological collection in the world, gathering ...