Rome Museums – The perfect way to discover Rome’s past and present

Brimming with fascinating history, impressive architecture and a wealth of art and culture, Rome is a city that is just waiting to be explored.  The city’s fabulous collection of numerous museums, which range from the impressive National Rome Museum to the fantastic National Gallery of Modern Art, allows visitors the opportunity to explore Rome’s effortless blend of the past and the present day.

With a huge selection of interesting museums to choose from, Rome is a city that truly offers something to everyone who visits.  From keen historians to lovers of modern art, the city is sure to have a museum for each and every taste.  Several of the museums are split over various branches across the city and offer day passes which allow you to visit each individual site with just one ticket, something which is highly recommended.

The National Museum of Rome is one such example and boasts some of the city’s most iconic attractions, one of which is the well-known Baths of Diocletian.  Originally created in the 3rd century, the baths were the greatest of their kind in ancient Rome and spread over a staggering 27 acres.  Nowadays their remarkably preserved remains attract visitors from all over the world and are a sight not to be missed.  The National Museum also includes the Palazzo Altemps, a remarkable palace which showcases a stunning collection of 16th and 17th century antiques.

The Capitoline Museums are another group of museums which are definitely worthy of a visit and exhibit a magnificent selection of art and archaeological excavations.  Situated at the top of Capitoline Hill, the museums consist of two palaces – Palazzo Nuovo contains an array of striking Greek and Roman sculptures, whilst Palazzo dei Conservatori is filled with beautiful paintings and was the home of the city’s magistrates during the Middle Ages.

Within Rome’s Vatican City, you will find even more remarkable museums, which are collectively referred to as the Vatican Museums.  Each museum is housed within a palace which was originally built for Renaissance popes and they include the Raphael Rooms, the Etruscan Museum and the world famous Sistine Chapel.  Dating back to the 15th century, the chapel is much loved for its stunning architecture and décor.  It is here that you will find one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, painted upon the ceiling.

For those who prefer to sample the city’s more modern and artistic offerings, there are plenty of museums for you too.  The National Gallery of Modern Art is a prime example and boasts an excellent collection of modern and contemporary art from the 19th and 20th centuries.  Established in 1883, the museum is housed within a simply breath-taking building and has 75 rooms worth of fabulous work.  The MAXXI Museum, which is located within the city’s Flaminio area, is Rome’s national museum of 21st century arts and is another attraction not to be missed.

There are many more museums in Rome which are just waiting to be explored, including the inspiring Galleria Borghese, which can be found within the magnificent Villa Borghese, and the National Museum of Castel Sant Angelo with its breath-taking architecture.  Tickets can be bought either on site, at various ticket offices throughout the city or alternatively online – which is probably the easiest option.