The Museum of the Roman Civilization does not enjoy a central location in Rome, being situated some 5 kilometers from the historical area. It is, however, a sight not to be missed out by tourists who want to get a glimpse of how ancient Rome used to look like. The exhibits reproduce in thorough detail the layout of ancient Rome from its archaic origins until the age of Emperor Constantine (4th century AD). The reproductions (plaster models intertwined with genuine archeological finds) offer a dazzlingly authentic image of Rome, such that all the 59 rooms of the museum are definitely worth studying with utmost attention.

The museum was set up between the late 1930s and the early 1940s by a team of architects, Pietro Ascheri, D. Bernardini and Cesare Pascoletti included. One of the most famous exhibits, so to speak, showcased here refers to a scale model of ancient Rome, conceived by Italo Gismondi (between 1935 and 1971) and displayed in rooms XXXVII-XXXVIII (the model has become, in time, a point of reference for all attempts – artistic, scientific or of a different nature – to reproduce the image of Rome). Also of interest are the range of some 100 casts of relieves of the Trajan’s Column, a model of prehistoric Rome (displayed in room XVIII), not to mention the scale reproductions of the Colosseum and of Circus Maximus. In order to ease the visit to the 59 rooms, the museum is organized in three chief sections: the thematic section (room XXXVI to room LVI, except room XXXVII to room XXXVIII), the historical section (room V to room XVII) and the above mentioned model of Imperial Rome (room XXXVII to room XXXVIII).

The museum shares the same location with the Planetarium and the Astronomy Museum, which is why common tickets are available on sale for all the three attractions. Discounts are also available for holders of Roma Passes.

Name:
Museum of the Roman Civilization (Museo della Civilta Romana)
Address:
10, Piazza G. Agnelli, 00144, Rome, Italy
Telephone:
0039 06 0608
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.museociviltaromana.it
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: 9am to 2pm