Museum Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Archaeological museum in central Rome, Italy
Museum Palazzo Massimo is an archaeological museum in Rome displaying Roman sculptures, frescoes, and mosaics across four floors in a 19th-century Neo-Renaissance building near Termini Station. The collection spans from large statues to smaller objects and includes a specialized numismatic section in the basement.
The building was constructed between 1883 and 1887 as a Jesuit school in Rome. After extensive renovations by architect Costantino Dardi, it opened as an archaeological museum in 1995.
The second floor displays complete room decorations from ancient Roman homes, including wall paintings from the Villa of Livia and the Villa della Farnesina. These spaces show how Romans decorated their houses and the importance they placed on ornate interiors.
The collection is spread across four floors and requires time to explore thoroughly, especially if you want to visit all sections. It helps to arrive early, as visitor numbers increase later and some areas can become crowded.
The collection contains the Grottarossa Mummy, the only known mummy from Roman times, discovered in a sarcophagus along the Via Cassia. This object is globally rare and reveals much about Roman burial practices of that era.
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