Palazzo Massimo
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What you need to know about the Maximum Palace
The Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is one of Rome’s most important archaeological museums and part of the National Roman Museum. Located near Termini Station, the palace houses an extraordinary collection of artworks from ancient Rome, including sculptures, mosaics, frescoes, and jewelry.
History of the Palace: The Palazzo Massimo was built between 1883 and 1887, designed by architect Camillo Pistrucci, as the seat of the Jesuit Collegio Massimo. Later, in the 1980s, it was purchased by the Italian state and used as a museum, opening to the public in 1998.
Collections: Among the most famous works on display in the Palace of Maximus are: “Classical Sculptures” – Includes masterpieces such as the Boxer at Rest and the Sleeping Hermaphrodite. “Mosaics and Frescoes” – These include frescoes from the Villa of Livia, wife of Augustus, depicting a lush ideal garden. “Numismatics” – One of the most important numismatic collections in the world, with coins and jewelry from Roman times.
Architecture: The palace is an example of Renaissance architecture in the neoclassical style and, through its elegant rooms, guides visitors on a journey through the artistic and cultural history of ancient Rome.
Museum Sections: The museum’s exhibition itinerary is spread over four floors, each dedicated to specific thematic areas of ancient Rome:
Ground Floor: Dedicates ample space to Roman sculptures, with famous works such as the “Boxer at Rest,” a bronze masterpiece dating from the first century B.C., depicting the emotional tension and physical strength of a boxer. Other sculptures include imperial portraits and deities.
First Floor: Here are the famous frescoes of the Villa of Livia, with splendid depictions of an idyllic and lush garden, in which fruit trees and birds appear. The frescoes give the impression of being in a natural setting and are an example of Roman painting from the Augustan period.
Second Floor: Dedicated to mosaics and floor decorations, this floor offers an overview of Roman mosaic art. The mosaics come from ancient villas and patrician homes and depict mythological scenes, human figures, and animals in extraordinary detail.
Basement: Houses the numismatic section, one of the richest in the world. This collection includes coins, medallions, and jewelry, documenting the Roman economy and offering valuable insights into monetary circulation and the evolution of goldsmithing over the centuries.
Works of Relief: “The Sleeping Hermaphrodite”: A marble sculpture of Hellenistic origin, highly regarded for its realism and elegance of form. “Veiled Statue of Augustus”: A realistic portrait of Emperor Augustus, depicted with his head veiled in a religious act. “Disk of Theodosius”: It represents one of the masterpieces of Roman glyptics and is an excellent example of stone carving.
Curiosities
Original Colors of Statues: Many of the Roman sculptures we see today in white marble were originally painted in bright colors. Color studies of some of the statues in the Palace of Maximus have revealed traces of pigments that have made it possible to reconstruct the original appearance of the works. This dispels the myth of the “snow-white” Roman and Greek statues we are used to seeing today.
The Frescoes of the Villa of Livia: The frescoes that decorated the underground dining room of the Villa of Livia, the wife of Augustus, are considered among the oldest examples of Roman wall painting in the naturalistic style. They depict a garden with exotic trees and plants and are so detailed that many botanists have been able to identify the plant species depicted, such as pomegranate, maritime pine, and myrtle.
The Boxer at Rest: This bronze sculpture, depicting a weary boxer, features exceptional details, such as a face full of scars and a body scarred by the wounds of the fight. The eyes are made of copper and, due to their precision, give the boxer a deeply human and poignant expression. It is thought that the boxer originally stood in a shrine as a votive offering.
The Numismatic Collection: The museum houses one of the largest collections of ancient coins in the world, with more than 50,000 pieces. These include some of the earliest coins minted in Rome to Byzantine and medieval coins. The way the coins change over time tells a lot about the political and cultural history of the Roman Empire.
The Mummies of Grottarossa: Among the most unusual and lesser-known objects in the Palazzo Massimo is the Mummy of Grottarossa, a mummified child of about eight years old found in 1964. She is presented along with her clothing and jewelry, offering a rare glimpse into the practice of Roman mummification, which was a rather unusual tradition for ancient Rome.
The Veiled Statue of Augustus: This statue depicts Emperor Augustus with his head veiled like a priest. The pose and facial details represent a transition from Hellenistic to Roman art, in which imperial portraits are made in a way that lends power and authority. Although it looks like a white marble sculpture, it originally had a painted face and body, which made it much more realistic.
The Palace and the Collegio Massimo: Before becoming a museum, the palace was home to the Jesuit Collegio Massimo, one of the most prestigious educational institutions of the time. Many important figures in Italian history, including prominent clergy and politicians, studied here.
Diocletian’s Baths in the Vicinity: Maximus Palace is located near the ancient Baths of Diocletian, one of the largest bath complexes in ancient Rome, capable of seating up to 3,000 people. Although the baths are now in ruins, their proximity to the palace enriches the historical context of the museum.
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