Architect Richard Meier's Ara Pacis Museum is the only major contemporary structure to have been built in the historic center of Rome since World War II.
If you were living in Rome 2,000 years ago, you would now be very, _very_ old. But also importantly: you would've been alive during the time of Augustus, the first Roman Emperor (and grand-nephew of Julius Caesar).
His reign ushered in a period known as the *Pax Romana* (The Roman Peace) a two-century long period when the Roman Empire was largely free from large-scale conflict.
The Ara Pacis ('Altar of Peace') was Augustus's way of declaring his commitment to peace. See the 'Altar of Peace', originally inaugurated in 9 BC and then buried for centuries, plus loads more as you walk right into living history.
What Makes This Tour Special
The exhibition 'Impressionism & Beyond' combines classical art with modern interpretations, providing a unique perspective on how ancient themes influenced later artistic movements.
Combines ancient history with contemporary art, offering a diverse cultural experience.
Designed by renowned architect Richard Meier, the museum itself is a work of art.
Interactive exhibits allow visitors to engage with the history and art more intimately.
Located in the heart of Rome, easy access to other historical sites.
Historical Background
The Ara Pacis was commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 BC to honor Emperor Augustus and celebrate his return from the provinces. It symbolizes the peace and prosperity of the Roman Empire during Augustus's reign, a time marked by artistic and cultural flourishing.
Begin your tour with a visit to the Colosseum through a special group entrance. Walk the path of ancient gladiators and enjoy a unique 360° view of the monument. Feel the atmosphere of ancient Rome as the guide describes the past events that were witnessed by over 50,000 spectators. Visit the Roman Forum, where old governmental buildings stand as silent witnesses to history. Explore the Forum Magnum, once a lively marketplace, and discover the everyday life of ancient Romans. End your tour at Palatine Hill and look at panoramic views of the Circus Maximus, where chariots once raced.
Get ready to discover the beauty and history of the Vatican on this tour, where standing in long lines won't take away from your chance to experience this angelic place. Look at the extensive art collections of the Renaissance period, highly valued by the Catholic Church, holding great historical and artistic significance. Inside the Vatican Museum, see the most interesting rooms and detailed galleries. Including The Gallery of Maps, with its rich paintings. The Sistine Chapel, in the center of the Vatican, lets you look at its famous ceiling. Here, Michelangelo's artwork will draw your attention, showing the artist's remarkable talent.
Start with a visit to the Vatican Museums and view well-known collections gathered by Popes over centuries, including sections like the Pio Clementino Hall, the Laocoön and Apollo Belvedere site, the Gallery of Maps, the Gallery of Candelabra, and the Gallery of Tapestries. Continue to the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s frescoes. Conclude at St. Peter’s Square, where you can learn about the history and significance of St. Peter’s Basilica. The guided portion ends here, but you have the option to enter and explore the basilica individually.
Explore what is left of Ancient Rome with a guided tour of the Colosseum. You will see the main symbol of the Roman Empire and the ruins around it. The Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre and once held 100 days of opening games with gladiator fights and animal hunts. The building was constructed on the site of Nero's former lake and could hold 73,000 people who were shaded by a large awning. Afterward, you will go to the Palatine Hill, where Rome first began and where the emperors once lived. You will finish the tour at the Roman Forum, which was the center of daily life and politics for centuries.
Participate in a guided visit covering notable locations within the Vatican Museums. Visit well-known corridors and galleries before proceeding to see the Sistine Chapel's ceiling designed by Michelangelo. Use the unique passage from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's Basilica for continued touring without needing to leave the Vatican area.
Visit Palazzo Braschi – Museum of Rome to see a wide collection of paintings, drawings, photographs, statues, furniture, and costumes. The palace was designed by architect Cosimo Morelli and features a staircase with 18 red granite columns originally used by Emperor Caligula, designed by Giuseppe Valadier. Upstairs, the exhibition spaces display arts and crafts, including fragments of medieval frescoes from the former church of Santa Maria in Vincis and mosaics from the medieval St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll also find portrait busts of papal families, paintings by Giovanni Paolo Pannini and Bartolomeo Pinelli showing Roman ceremonies, and collections of photographs, furniture, clothing, sedan chairs, and ceramics. A café onsite provides direct access to Piazza Navona.
Begin your tour with a visit to the Colosseum through a special group entrance. Walk the path of ancient gladiators and enjoy a unique 360° view of the monument. Feel the atmosphere of ancient Rome as the guide describes the past events that were witnessed by over 50,000 spectators. Visit the Roman Forum, where old governmental buildings stand as silent witnesses to history. Explore the Forum Magnum, once a lively marketplace, and discover the everyday life of ancient Romans. End your tour at Palatine Hill and look at panoramic views of the Circus Maximus, where chariots once raced.
Get ready to discover the beauty and history of the Vatican on this tour, where standing in long lines won't take away from your chance to experience this angelic place. Look at the extensive art collections of the Renaissance period, highly valued by the Catholic Church, holding great historical and artistic significance. Inside the Vatican Museum, see the most interesting rooms and detailed galleries. Including The Gallery of Maps, with its rich paintings. The Sistine Chapel, in the center of the Vatican, lets you look at its famous ceiling. Here, Michelangelo's artwork will draw your attention, showing the artist's remarkable talent.
Start with a visit to the Vatican Museums and view well-known collections gathered by Popes over centuries, including sections like the Pio Clementino Hall, the Laocoön and Apollo Belvedere site, the Gallery of Maps, the Gallery of Candelabra, and the Gallery of Tapestries. Continue to the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s frescoes. Conclude at St. Peter’s Square, where you can learn about the history and significance of St. Peter’s Basilica. The guided portion ends here, but you have the option to enter and explore the basilica individually.
Explore what is left of Ancient Rome with a guided tour of the Colosseum. You will see the main symbol of the Roman Empire and the ruins around it. The Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre and once held 100 days of opening games with gladiator fights and animal hunts. The building was constructed on the site of Nero's former lake and could hold 73,000 people who were shaded by a large awning. Afterward, you will go to the Palatine Hill, where Rome first began and where the emperors once lived. You will finish the tour at the Roman Forum, which was the center of daily life and politics for centuries.
Participate in a guided visit covering notable locations within the Vatican Museums. Visit well-known corridors and galleries before proceeding to see the Sistine Chapel's ceiling designed by Michelangelo. Use the unique passage from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's Basilica for continued touring without needing to leave the Vatican area.
Visit Palazzo Braschi – Museum of Rome to see a wide collection of paintings, drawings, photographs, statues, furniture, and costumes. The palace was designed by architect Cosimo Morelli and features a staircase with 18 red granite columns originally used by Emperor Caligula, designed by Giuseppe Valadier. Upstairs, the exhibition spaces display arts and crafts, including fragments of medieval frescoes from the former church of Santa Maria in Vincis and mosaics from the medieval St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll also find portrait busts of papal families, paintings by Giovanni Paolo Pannini and Bartolomeo Pinelli showing Roman ceremonies, and collections of photographs, furniture, clothing, sedan chairs, and ceramics. A café onsite provides direct access to Piazza Navona.
