On Rome’s Tiber embankment, the Ara Pacis Museum shelters the marble Altar of Peace, commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 BC to honour Augustus’s return from campaigns in Spain and Gaul. Walk around the altar to study its carved processions, imperial family and dense plant motifs from several angles. Richard Meier’s glass-and-travertine building, completed in 2006, sets the ancient monument against a spare modern interior. The museum also holds temporary exhibitions on Roman history, art and culture.
The altar and its carved panels
The Ara Pacis, or Altar of Peace, was commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 BC and dedicated in 9 BC to Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. It honoured Augustus’s return after campaigns in Spain and Gaul. The monument was part of the emperor’s public image: its celebration of peace and prosperity also connected his rule to Rome’s future.
The altar’s marble walls carry detailed reliefs. Look for a procession that includes Augustus, Roman officials and members of his family. Other panels show mythological scenes, while carved vines fill the spaces with intricate plant forms. The work links the imperial family with Rome’s origins and its gods. Walk around the structure rather than viewing only its front, so you can take in the reliefs across the different sides.
A modern home on the Tiber
The museum stands on Lungotevere in Augusta, beside the Tiber and close to the Mausoleum of Augustus. The altar was originally erected on the Campus Martius. After centuries of burial and rediscovery, it was pieced together and placed in a dedicated pavilion in the 20th century.
Richard Meier designed the current museum, which opened in 2006. Glass and travertine give the building a bright, contemporary character, sharply distinct from the ancient marble it protects. Large windows bring natural light into the hall, and parts of the altar can also be seen from outside through the glass. The building has drawn controversy for its modern design in Rome’s historic centre, but the contrast is part of the visit: the enclosure makes the altar’s carved surfaces and scale easier to appreciate.
Planning your visit
The altar is the main focus, and a visit can be brief if you concentrate on the monument. Allow time to circle it and look closely at the reliefs. An English-language audio guide can add historical context; a short film about the altar’s history is also available in Italian and English. The museum holds temporary exhibitions on Roman history, art and culture, so the displays beyond the main hall can differ between visits.
Weekdays and off-peak times are practical choices if you would prefer a quieter visit. Advance tickets are recommended. If you are deciding whether to go inside, note that the glass façade gives a view of some of the interior and altar from outside, while admission lets you examine the monument from within and see the museum displays.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the Ara Pacis?
It is a marble altar dedicated to Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. The Roman Senate commissioned it in 13 BC to honour Augustus’s return from campaigns in Spain and Gaul.
How long do you need at the Ara Pacis Museum?
Allow about 20 to 45 minutes to see the altar in detail. A temporary exhibition may add to your visit.
Can you see the Ara Pacis without going inside?
Parts of the altar are visible through the museum’s glass façade. Inside, you can walk around the monument and see the museum displays.
Are tickets recommended in advance?
Yes. Advance tickets are recommended.
