Many first-timers to Rome have this misconception that the National Museum of Rome is at a single location. However, like the Vatican Museums, the National Museum of Rome now spreads over 4 buildings (at separate locations) and is actually a collection of museums. The 4 museums are Crypta Balbi, Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Altemps and Palazzo Massimo. Its old name ‘Terme Museum’ still exists as it’s inspired from the thermal baths of Diocletian that are a part of the museum.
The National Museum of Rome is widely regarded as the world’s biggest collection of Greco Roman art and antiques. Mostly archaeological treasures are exhibited here and it’s a great way to learn about the comprehensive history of Rome and the development of the city and its people from pre-Latina times to what it is today.
In spite of commanding far less tourist footfall than the Vatican Museums or Forum or Colosseum….the Roman National Museums are very well equipped. All four sites are well marked, wheelchair accessible and have bookshops where you can buy gadgets and souvenirs. Location wise they are super convenient as the Palazzo Massimo and the Diocletian baths are near the Termini station while the Palazzo Altemps is near the Piazza Navona.
History
The National Roman museum core collection began with the collections sourced from the Kircherian Museum… a series of important archaeological works maintained by Jesuit priest and antiquarian Athanasius Kircher. The collection used to be housed at the Jesuit complex at Sant’ignazio and the state appropriated it in 1874 after which it was named as ‘Royal Museum’.
In 1901 the Italian government added the Ludovisi collection and important collection of ancient sculpture to the National Roman Museum. At this point in time, the museum was housed in the Monastic complex designed by Michelangelo at the Baths of Diocletian. This is how the name ‘Terme Museum’ was born and to date the Baths of Diocletian are known to be the headquarters of the National Roman Museum brand.
Also, to date, all the protohistoric and epigraphy collections are housed there. The Diocletian Baths were reconverted into an exhibition space starting from the 1911 International Exhibition of Art and the effort culminated in the 1930s. Later the main museum collections were moved to Palazzo Massimo alle Terme in 1981. In 1990 a complete transformative action was carried out when the museum’s collections were divided into 4 different buildings and 4 different sites; the Baths of Diocletian, the Crypta Balbi, the Palazzo Massimo and the Palazzo Altemps.
The Four Museums
The Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is the largest site of the Roman National Museums and it has reconstructed frescoes from the House of Livia and Villa Farnesina on the second floor. The ground floor shows works of art from the imperial period to late antiquity. The best ancient Roman sculptures like the boxer, discus thrower, bust of Augustus, hermaphrodite etc are housed in this museum on the first floor. The basement has the biggest numismatic collection in Italy.
The Palazzo Altemps is an exceptionally beautiful palace that showcases the gorgeous artwork collections from Boncompagni Ludovisi, Altemps, and Mattei and Draco families. The Egyptian Syrian collection and the church of Saint Aniweta are other notable features of this museum apart from a historic theatre that now hosts temporary exhibitions and conferences. The artwork displayed here is complemented by the exquisite rooms that have frescoes on their walls and ceilings.
The Crypta Balbi represents the progression of Roma society and the urban cityscape from antiquity to modern times. This is the only live archaeological site of the National Roman Museums. The Crypta Balbi was built between the years 19th to 13th BC under the instructions of Lucius Balbus and it had a huge theatre, four-storeyed block and a courtyard. The exhibits here show maps, artefacts and household items that defined the lives of ancient pre-Roman civilizations to the days of Roman kings… all creating a unique sense of relatability.
The Thermal Baths of Diocletian once upon a time held 3000 people at a time… it was the largest public baths of Rome with different sections for hot, cold and tepid water. Right now the ruins of the bath and a beautiful church exist. You can also check out the intriguing funerary constructions and tombs with plaster and frescoes that date back to the second century inside the renaissance style museum building in the Bath complex. Incidentally, this was the original seat of the National Roman Museum.
The stunning Santa Maria Degli Angeli Church designed by Michelangelo and the atmospheric Aula Ottagona displaying choice 2nd century BC sculptures from the many bathhouses of Rome are 2 other good places to explore. The Aula Ottagona has no admission fee and is considered to be the 5th branch of National Roman Museums.
Tours & Tickets
You can find various options for entry and tours of the National Roman Museum (including combination tours with other attractions) and book online from this Viator site.
The Museum also offers skip the line online bookings. The booking offers access to all 4 above mentions museum locations and is valid for 3 days. The combined ticket is also known as Biglietto 4 Musei.
The full price ticket costs 16 euros (12 euro base fee + 4 euro reservation fee). For European Citizens from the age 18 to 25 there is a half-price ticket that costs 6 euros. For everyone under the age of 18 (with valid age proof) the ticket price is 4 euros. For 5 euros you can get an audio guide that will let you know about the extensive history of the place in greater detail.
Combo unreserved ticket for the Terme di Diocleziano, Crypta Balbi, Palazzo Massimo and Palazzo Altemps, valid for 3 days costs € 12.00. You can get these tickets for the physical booking offices of the museum (at each branch) and the Rome Tourism main office plus third part vendors who might or might not levy their own charges.
With the Roma Pass/ Turbo Pass/ Omnia Pass you can get a discount on the ticket price but if you hold an Archeologia Card (you will get this at Rome Visitor Centre on Via Parigi) then you get free entry to the Roman National museums, Colosseum, Forum, Baths of Caracalla, Villa Quintili, Tombs of the Appian Way etc. 7 days of free admission one site at a time.
A travel addict. Still celebrating the day when he quit his high-profile corporate job to pursue his passion for travel writing.