Centrale Montemartini — Attraction in Rome

The Centrale Montemartini, located on Via Ostiense directly across from the former General Market on the left bank of the Tiber River, stands as a remarkable example of industrial archaeology transformed into a museum.

Named after Giovanni Montemartini, this site was originally the first electrical power station in Rome. Today, it serves as the second exhibition center of the Capitoline Museums, showcasing an impressive collection of ancient Roman art.

The museum houses a significant array of classical sculptures, many of which were unearthed during excavations in Rome from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

The collection not only reconstructs ancient monumental complexes but also illustrates the evolution of the city from the Republican era through to the late Imperial age. Among its treasures is the stunning mosaic depicting hunting scenes from Santa Bibiana, a work that remains largely unknown to the general public.

The unique architecture of the Montemartini power plant, particularly the Engine Room adorned with Art Nouveau furnishings, retains its original turbines, diesel engines, and a colossal steam boiler.

The imposing grey machinery creates a striking contrast with the pristine white marble of the sculptures, providing an evocative and captivating backdrop.

Among the masterpieces on display are the statues that once adorned the pediment of the Temple of Apollo Sosiano, the colossal acrolith of the Goddess Fortune from Largo Argentina, and the contemplative figure of the muse Polimnia.

These works are enhanced by the museum's atmosphere, which simultaneously evokes the monumental grandeur of ancient Rome and the memory of one of the city’s earliest...

Part of the capitoline museum but in the south of the city, housed in an impressive building that was a power station until the 1960s. In the 90s it was restored for a museum space but a lot of the old power station machinery remains and it provides rather a nice juxtaposition with the ancient marble busts, figures and funerary relics that is worth a visit if you're in the area. Currently there is a exhibition of the work of Maria Barosso who in the early 1900s was working for the office for antiquities and fine arts. Her specialty was the documentation of monuments, archaeological excavations and urban-demolition sites in Rome during the early decades of the twentieth century. Through watercolours, pencil and pen drawings, she captured the transformation of the city from the demolition of hills and older edifices to the emergence of new streets, such as Via dei Fori Imperiali, the exposure of hidden temples, such as at Largo Argentina, and the variety of building-sites that reshaped Rome. Her work is very intricate and visually appealing, she had...

Little visited and absolutely fabulous. If you enjoy ancient history, though most of the pieces are funerary, they have noses etc. They are not damaged. You see families eg 3 brothers. You see politics. There is the amazing link between ancient Rome and the far East and Palmyra. All against a fascinating setting of the hige installations of a former power station. Even in high summer there were maybe 20 people there. You can get close enough to examine the pieces. The mosaics are in good shape. It's also quite a selective museum so it's far less daunting than its mothership, the Capitoline. It's not on the beaten track however so plan your visit. You can see the old gasometer too behind it so you get a good sense of how power worked in Rome till the 60s. If you need to eat, Eataly is a short walk away and well signposted. It has a comprehensive website which details many of the unique exhibits which gives you a good...