Ara Pacis Museum (Museo dell’Ara Pacis) is the glass-and-travertine pavilion at Lungotevere in Augusta, 00186 Rome, on the east bank of the Tiber between Piazza Augusto Imperatore and the river, that shelters the Ara Pacis Augustae, the altar of Augustan Peace consecrated in 9 BC. Designed by American architect Richard Meier and opened in 2006, it was the first major architectural work built in Rome’s historic center since the fall of Fascism. Travelers come to stand before one of the finest surviving works of Roman state sculpture and to see a bold modern building set beside the Mausoleum of Augustus.
What to Expect at Ara Pacis Museum
The altar was commissioned by the Roman Senate to celebrate Augustus’s return from Spain and Gaul in 13 BC and dedicated on the Campus Martius in 9 BC. Over the centuries it was buried beneath the growing city, and its marble panels were recovered in stages, with major excavations in 1937 to 1938 under Mussolini, who had the monument reassembled for the bimillenary of Augustus’s birth. Meier’s building replaced the 1938 pavilion, wrapping the altar in a long, bright volume of glass walls, white plaster and travertine, with a deep entrance portico facing the river. Daylight washes across the marble, so the carved reliefs read clearly, which is a large part of the experience.
The visit centers on walking around the altar enclosure and reading its sculpted program. The south and north friezes show a solemn procession of Augustus, his family, priests and senators, carved with striking individuality, including children tugging at their elders’ togas. The ground floor is dedicated to the altar, while multimedia displays and temporary exhibitions in the lower and side spaces add context. The official site also notes themed itineraries covering the exterior, interior and altar, along with an active program of archaeology exhibitions, including Il potere del ritratto. Egitto e Roma. I volti del Fayum, scheduled from 5 November 2026 to 2 May 2027.
- The Altar Enclosure: A rectangular marble precinct with a raised altar inside, decorated on its outer walls with floral scrollwork and figural reliefs.
- The Processional Friezes: Carved panels of Augustus’s family and Rome’s elite, one of the best-known examples of Augustan portraiture in relief.
- Mythological Panels: Scenes including Aeneas sacrificing and the Lupercal with Romulus and Remus, linking the new regime to Rome’s founding stories.
- Richard Meier’s Architecture: The signature white geometry, large glazed walls and travertine cladding, with a long Tiber-facing facade and a calm, gallery-like interior.
- Neighboring Mausoleum of Augustus: The circular tomb on the adjacent piazza, part of the same imperial landscape and visible from the museum’s surroundings.
Ara Pacis Museum at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Lungotevere in Augusta, 00186 Rome, Italy |
| Neighborhood / Area | Campo Marzio, near Piazza Augusto Imperatore and the Tiber embankment |
| Operating Hours | Daily 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | Paid admission ($$); ticket prices vary by exhibition, so check the official site before visiting |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Metro Line A to Flaminio or Spagna, then a 10 to 15 minute walk; central city bus and tram stops nearby; limited street parking in the historic center, so car-free arrival is advised |
| Official Website & Phone | arapacis.it and +39 06 0608 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive when the doors open at 9:30 AM or in the last hour before closing at 7:30 PM for the quietest viewing and the best light on the marble. Tickets and audio guides are listed on the official site, which also publishes conditions of access, photography authorization rules for professional filming, and a Rome museum pass option (MIC card) used across the city’s civic museums. Check the exhibition calendar before you go, since temporary shows can change the visit route and ticket price.
The museum is organized for visitors with reduced mobility, and the official site maintains a dedicated accessibility page and accessible educational programs; the building is a single, level, glass-fronted structure with wide circulation space suited to wheelchairs and strollers. Within a 5 to 15 minute walk you can reach the Mausoleum of Augustus and Piazza Augusto Imperatore, the Piazza del Popolo with its twin churches and obelisk, and the shopping and dining streets around Via del Corso and Via Condotti. A Tiber-side stroll along the embankment pairs naturally with the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Ara Pacis Museum’s opening hours and best time to visit?
The museum is open daily from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Early morning and the final hour before closing are the calmest, and the daylight is best for viewing the carved friezes. Confirm holiday and exhibition-related changes on the official website.
How much do tickets cost and do I need to book?
Admission is paid, and the price depends on whether a temporary exhibition is running. Tickets, audio guides and the MIC card are explained on arapacis.it; advance purchase is useful in peak season but the museum rarely requires fixed time slots.
How much time should I budget?
Plan 45 to 90 minutes. Add extra time if a temporary exhibition is on view, and consider combining the visit with the nearby Mausoleum of Augustus and the Tiber walk.
Is the museum accessible and suitable for families?
Yes. The official site includes an accessibility section and accessible education projects, and the single-level interior works well for wheelchairs and strollers. The altar’s figures, including the children carved in the processions, tend to engage younger visitors, and the museum offers school and family-oriented educational programs.
When browsing more top-rated archaeological museum in Rome, consider pairing your visit with nearby highlights such as Museo Nazionale Romano, Palazzo Altemps (0.6 km away).
