The Palatine Museum, the oldest part of ancient Rome

The Palatine Museum, known to Italians as Antiquarium del Palatino, is a collection of artefacts and exhibits unearthed during excavations and archaeological work conducted on the Palatine Hill in the ancient part of Rome. This museum is an integral part of the Palatine and is a must-visit when exploring the ancient monuments in the Eternal City.

The Palatine Museum on the Palatine Hill in Rome, history and creation

The first Palatine Museum was established in the late 19th century in the Farnese building on the Palatine Hill, situated next to the Domus Tiberiana. This happened during the rule of Napoleon III. However, in 1882, the building was demolished to make way for a road connecting the Roman Forum to the Palatine. At that time, the Palatine Museum housed collections of sculptures unearthed on the hill, which, after the building’s demolition, were transferred to the Museum of the Diocletian Baths. The latter was renamed the National Museum of Rome in 1889.

The new museum, which you can visit today on the Palatine, was established in the 1930s, initiated by archaeologist Alfonso Bartoli, the director of excavations in this part of Rome.

Bartoli not only led to the opening of the new museum in a building that is part of the ancient structures of Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana. He also recovered valuable sculptures and artefacts that had previously been moved to the National Museum of Rome.

However, the outbreak of World War II once again disrupted the history of the Palatine Museum. For safety reasons, the collections were moved to the underground storage of the National Museum of Rome, which, after the war, was unwilling to return the most valuable sculptures. The conflict between the institutions lasted for years and became so intense that it went to court.

By the court’s decision, made in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Science and Education, the most valuable sculpture collections and numerous artefacts previously located in the Palatine Museum were to remain in the National Museum of Rome. The court ruled that historically significant items must be accessible to the widest audience, a purpose best served by the National Museum. Moreover, it was recognized that visitors to the Palatine Hill expect to see, in the museum devoted to it, the artefacts and memorabilia associated specifically with that place.

Since then, everything in the Palatine Museum comes exclusively from excavations conducted on the Palatine Hill. However, in 1981, the Archaeological Heritage Law came into effect, leading to the return of some artworks previously taken over by the National Museum, and the museum itself merged with the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum.

The Palatine Museum in Rome sightseeing

The Palatine Museum building is located in the southern part of the Palatine Hill, right next to the Domus Flavia, House of Grifi, and Cenario Iovis palaces. The museum has two floors, each divided into four rooms.

On the lower floor, you will find artefacts, information, and many souvenirs from the earliest years of the young republic. Meanwhile, on the upper floor, artworks and artefacts from the later imperial era are displayed.

The Palatine Museum, first floor

The ground floor of the Palatine Museum primarily features stone objects dating back to the earliest history of the Palatine Hill, narrating the story of the first settlers and their experiences. The oldest traces of human presence on the hill date back to the Palaeolithic era.

You will also encounter elements from the oldest settlement where people lived on the Palatine Hill from the 10th to the 8th century BCE. In three rooms on this level, a significant collection of vases, vessels, primitive weapons, and tools has been gathered. A reconstruction of a hut inhabited by the first people, as well as graves and objects related to beliefs, adds an interesting perspective.

Continuing further into the museum, you will come across artefacts from the early Republican period. Particularly intriguing is one of the oldest discovered altars, the purpose of which remains a mystery because during that time, people tried to conceal the name of the deity to whom a particular place was dedicated. This was done to mislead enemies and protect structures from those with different beliefs.

The Palatine Museum, second floor

On the upper floor of the Palatine Museum, you will encounter more recent collections, dating from the times of the Roman Empire. The floor is divided into three large rooms, filled to the brim with fascinating exhibits.

Among the numerous displayed works, you should not miss Room VI, showcasing findings from the Augustan era, when Emperor Augustus was the first to alter the appearance of the Palatine. In Room VII, you can explore mosaics and magnificent paintings from the Domus Transitoria, a palace built by Emperor Nero. Other elements of the collection come from the Domus Flavia and various imperial palaces.

In Rooms VII and VIII, you’ll find busts and paintings depicting prominent figures from ancient Rome, including Nero, Agrippina, and Marcus Aurelius.

A notable item is graffiti dating from the period between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE. This graffiti was scratched onto the walls of Caesar’s palace and likely represents the crucifixion of Jesus. However, it doesn’t depict a human on the cross, but an ass with a person praying to it. This piece continues to generate controversy as it is thought to mock Christianity and the belief in a crucified god. During this period of Rome’s development, Christians and Jews were often accused of monolatry, the worship of the donkey.

In the last room on the upper floor of the Palatine Museum, you will find a gallery featuring beautiful Greek statues that once adorned numerous palaces on the Palatine.

The museum is fascinating, showcasing remarkable artefacts and works of art. It is a place that should not be missed during a visit to the Palatine.

The Palatine Museum practical information

The visiting time for the museum is approximately one hour, but it took us longer as the collections are truly fascinating.

There is a limitation on the number of tourists in the museum due to the confined space and the value of the artworks on display. At the same time, only 75 people are allowed in the museum rooms, so I recommend arriving at Palatine Hill earlier than others.

The museum is open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last entry possible at 5:30 PM.

The Palatine Museum in Rome ticket prices

To visit the Palatine Museum, all you need is a ticket that you purchased before entering the Palatine Hill. I discussed the prices and ticket options in the article about the Palatine Hill, to which I refer, or directly to the website with tickets at excellent prices.

At this link you will find attractive prices for many attractions in Rome

Also remember that you can purchase the ticket in various options, as well as in combination with other attractions. Often, collective tickets are much cheaper and therefore more profitable than tickets purchased for individual attractions.

The Palatine Museum in Rome facts, information, and curiosities

• The first Palatine Museum was located in a building from the Italian Renaissance period. These facilities were part of the estate of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, who purchased a large part of Palatine Hill and constructed his residence along with beautiful gardens, some of which can still be admired today.
• The founder of the first Palatine Museum was Pietro Rosa, a renowned Italian archaeologist.
• The building housing the initial museum was demolished to make way for a road connecting the Roman Forum to Palatine Hill.
• After the old museum’s demolition, the collections were transferred to the National Roman Museum.
• The current museum was established in the 1930s under the initiative of archaeologist Alfonso Bartoli, who led excavations on Palatine Hill.
• The Palatine Museum is currently in a restored section of an ancient Roman villa.
• Recovering the former collections, which had been moved to the National Roman Museum decades earlier, posed a significant challenge. The matter had to be settled in court.
• Presently, the museum showcases exhibitions primarily composed of artefacts originating from Palatine Hill.
• Since 2016, the Palatine Museum has been part of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum.

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