Rome

National Roman Museum and Diocletian Thermal Baths Guided Tour

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from €71.00 EUR
Duration: 3 Hours
Seller: Viator
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If you’re a history enthusiast visiting Rome, a visit to the National Roman Museum–Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is an absolute must. Boasting one of the world’s most important collections of classical art, it’s best explored alongside an expert guide. We offer a private or small-group 2-hour tour of the museum, which includes skip-the-line entry, so you won’t have to worry about wasting time waiting in long queues.

Our knowledgeable guide will take you through the museum, highlighting the most impressive and notable pieces on display. Admire the perfectly preserved mosaics, ancient coins, jewels, and notable sculptures, including the ‘Boxer at Rest’, the ‘Discus Thrower’, and the ‘Sleeping Hermaphrodite’. See the extravagantly decorated rooms that once belonged to Empress Livia and gain a comprehensive overview of classic Roman art’s rich panorama.

Upgrade your tour to include a 1-hour visit to the Baths of Diocletian, which is a perfect addition to your experience. You’ll proceed to what was once the most luxurious public bath in Rome. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in the sacred atmosphere of Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, which was incorporated into the bathhouse by Michelangelo in 1561. Learn about Roman social traditions, and see how the ancient Romans used to relax and enjoy themselves.

Our tour begins at the National Roman Museum–Palazzo Massimo alle Terme ticket office, located just a few steps away from Republic Square. Here, you’ll meet your guide, collect your skip-the-line ticket, and bypass the lines that snake around the museum’s entrance.

Book your tour now to enjoy a unique and enriching experience that will leave you with a comprehensive overview of classic Roman art’s rich panorama.

What's Included

Private or small-group 2-hour tour of the National Roman Museum with skip-the-line entry.
Admire collection highlights including the ‘Boxer at Rest’, the ‘Discus Thrower’, and the ‘Sleeping Hermaphrodite’.
Upgrade your tour to include a 1-hour visit to the Baths of Diocletian.
Learn about Roman social traditions and how the ancient Romans used to relax and enjoy themselves.
Immerse yourself in the sacred atmosphere of Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, incorporated into the bathhouse by Michelangelo in 1561.

What's not Included

Resort pick-up and drop-off.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

Useful Info

These were the greatest baths of antiquity and constitute evidence of the high degree of refinement of the Romans of that period. More than 3,000 bathers could be accomodated at one time in this huge establishment, built by Maximian and Diocletian (298-306 A. D.). Today, we see the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, and the Museo Nazionale (or delle Terme) on the site of the ancient ruins.

CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DEGLI ANGELI

It was built in 1561, by Michelangelo, who transformed one of the great halls of the Baths (the ancient Tepidarium) into a church. In 1749, Luigi Vanvitelli remodeled the structure. Currently, it is used for official religious ceremonies.

Interior: Crossing the vestibule (the ancient Calidarium), we enter the church, which at the transept is 91 meters long, 27 meters wide, and 28 meters high. Of the 16 enormous columns, 8, of Egyptian granite, are ancient. I In this church, are numerous monuments and tombs of famous people. To the left, the tomb of the Neapolitan poet and painter of the 1600’s Salvator Rosa; to the right, the tomb of the painter Carlo Maratta (d. 1713), and one of his most significant works, the Baptism of Christ. In the right corridor to the transept, the statue of St. Brunone by G. Anthony Houdon (1766), about | which Pope Clement XIV used to say: « He would speak, if the rules of his i Order did not forbid it ». A sundial, on the pavement to the right, is by Francesco Bianchini and Giacomo Maraldi (1702). Noteworthy among the I paintings is the « Saint Jerome surrounded by Saints » by Girolamo Muziano, an artist whose works were esteemed by Michelangelo. The tomb of Marshal Armando Diaz (d. 1928) is also to be seen. A fine painting by Domenichino, « The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian » is to the right of the main altar, and I to the left, « The Punishment of Ananias and Sapphira » by Pomarancio. Behind the main altar, the sepulchre of Pius IV attributed to Michelangelo.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OR MUSEUM DELLE TERME

It is to the right of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Inaugurated in 1889, it comprises an important collection of Greek, Roman, and Christian art. At the beginninq of this century, the museum was enriched by the Ludovisi bequest.

Location

3 Via Montebello National Roman Museum, Roma, Lazio 00185