National Roman Museum - Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The 'Boxer at Rest' bronze is one of the few surviving examples of ancient Greek bronze sculpture, discovered on the slopes of the Quirinal Hill in 1885.

2. 2

   The museum houses the 'Medagliere,' containing approximately 100,000 items, including coins, medals, and weights from the Roman era.

3. 3

   The stunning 'Garden Frescoes' from the Villa of Livia were removed from the underground room of the villa and reconstructed inside the museum with their original three-dimensional perspective intact.

4. 4

   The statue of the 'Sleeping Hermaphroditus' features a base that was carved by the sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century.

5. 5

   The museum is built on the site of the ancient Baths of Diocletian, which are visible nearby.

6. 6

   The building was originally constructed to house a Jesuit boarding school, the Collegio Massimo.

Overview

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme houses one of the world's most significant collections of classical art, focusing on the Roman period from the late Republican era to the Late Empire. The collection spans four floors, organized chronologically and by theme, including frescoes, mosaics, coins, and jewelry. The museum is renowned for its preservation of high-quality statuary, including the bronze 'Boxer at Rest' and the 'Hellenistic Prince.' Visitors can explore the basement level, which serves as the Medagliere, one of the largest numismatic collections in existence. The museum occupies a late 19th-century Neo-Renaissance building originally designed as a Jesuit college. It is part of the broader National Roman Museum circuit. Detailed wall displays provide context on the origins and discovery of the artifacts housed within. The building also features rare, reconstructed garden frescoes from the Villa of Livia.

Insider tips

• Prioritize the second floor to see the most famous bronze and marble masterpieces.

• Check the basement level early, as it contains a massive and detailed collection of Roman coinage that requires time to appreciate.

• The museum is generally less crowded than the Capitoline Museums, making it ideal for a focused viewing experience.