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Museum · Roma, Lazio
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
Seat of the Museo Nazionale Romano next to Termini station, with frescoes from Roman villas, the Boxer at Rest and the Discobolus. One of the best museums of ancient art in Rome.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
The Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is one of the venues of the Museo Nazionale Romano, the state archaeology museum of Rome. It occupies a 19th-century palace on the Piazza dei Cinquecento, opposite Termini station, and houses sculptures, frescoes, mosaics and coins from ancient Rome.
On the ground floor and first floor are the sculptures. Two bronze pieces stand out: the Boxer at Rest, a seated fighter with a marked face and leather gloves, and the Hellenistic Prince. There is also the Discobolus Lancellotti, a Roman copy of Myron’s discus thrower, and portraits of emperors, including Augustus as a priest.
The second floor is the museum's most exceptional section. There the frescoes from the Villa di Livia were reassembled, the country house of Augustus's wife, with an entire room painted as a garden of fruit trees, birds and flowers. Nearby are the paintings and stuccoes from the Villa della Farnesina and floor mosaics from several Roman houses. In the basement, the numismatic collection shows coins from all periods.
The museum is usually much calmer than Rome’s major attractions, despite being next to the station. Other venues of the Museo Nazionale Romano include the Terme di Diocleziano, a few steps away, and the Palazzo Altemps, near the Piazza Navona.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1h30 to 2h30.
Best time
Open Tuesday to Sunday — the museum is closed on Mondays. A good option for a rainy day or very hot weather, and for the day you arrive in or leave Rome, since it is opposite Termini station.
How to get there
Opposite Roma Termini station (metro lines A and B and trains), a 2-minute walk. Exit on the Piazza dei Cinquecento side.
Tip
Don’t skip the second floor: the frescoes from the Villa di Livia are the highlight of the visit. Check whether your ticket also grants access to the other venues of the Museo Nazionale Romano, such as the Terme di Diocleziano, so you can visit them the same day or on subsequent days.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
What to see in the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme?
The Resting Boxer, the Lancellotti Discobolus, the garden frescoes from the Villa of Livia, the paintings from the Villa della Farnesina, and the coin collection.
Is the museum open on Mondays?
No. It usually opens Tuesday through Sunday. Check hours before you go.
Is the Palazzo Massimo near Termini station?
It's opposite, in the Piazza dei Cinquecento, a 2‑minute walk away. It's a good visit for those arriving or leaving Rome by train.
Does the ticket cover other locations of the Museo Nazionale Romano?
The museum usually sells combined tickets with other sites, such as the Terme di Diocleziano and the Palazzo Altemps. Check conditions when purchasing.