The Ara Pacis Museum in Rome is built around a single ancient monument: the Ara Pacis Augustae, or Altar of Augustan Peace. Set near the Tiber and the Mausoleum of Augustus, Richard Meier’s glass-and-travertine pavilion gives the marble altar space and light. Opened in 2006, the contemporary building remains a point of debate in a city more accustomed to displaying its antiquities in historic surroundings.
Commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 BC and dedicated in 9 BC, the altar celebrated Augustus’s return from Gaul and Hispania and promoted his vision of a peaceful, prosperous Rome. Its reliefs depict priests, officials and members of the imperial family in procession; look closely for children among the adults. Other panels draw on Rome’s foundation myths, while curling acanthus leaves and small animals fill an exuberant decorative frieze. Reconstructed from fragments found over several centuries, the monument offers a revealing look at how art served imperial politics.
Allow around an hour to explore the altar and any temporary exhibitions. Visit early on a weekday or later in the afternoon for a quieter experience, and check the museum’s official website for current opening hours and tickets. The museum is within walking distance of Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, making it easy to combine with a stroll through Campo Marzio.