Carved into marble more than two thousand years ago, the procession still moves. Senators, priests, the imperial family and a restless child tugging at a toga, all captured on an altar Augustus raised to mark the peace he brought to Rome.
The Ara Pacis sits inside a luminous glass and travertine pavilion by Richard Meier, where sunlight pours over ancient stone in the heart of the historic centre. Book your tickets and stand before one of ancient Rome’s great survivors!
The Ara Pacis sits inside a luminous glass and travertine pavilion by Richard Meier, where sunlight pours over ancient stone in the heart of the historic centre. Book your tickets and stand before one of ancient Rome’s great survivors!
Key Highlights
- Stand before the Ara Pacis, the ancient Altar of Peace dedicated to the goddess Pax
- Trace the marble procession of Augustus and his imperial family
- Study the intricate floral reliefs carved more than 2,000 years ago
- Discover a monument inaugurated in 9 BC under Emperor Augustus
- Explore Richard Meier’s striking contemporary museum pavilion
- See ancient sculpture lit by natural daylight through vast glass walls
- Learn how the altar embodied the ideals of the Pax Romana
About Ara Pacis Museum Ticket
The Ara Pacis Augustae, the Altar of Augustan Peace, was commissioned by the Roman Senate and inaugurated on 30 January 9 BC to celebrate the peace Emperor Augustus had secured across the empire. It is among the finest surviving works of Roman sculpture, and the reliefs covering its marble walls remain astonishingly intact.
The carving is what holds people. On the outer walls a solemn procession winds around the altar, showing Augustus, members of the imperial family, priests and senators in careful order, with small human details breaking through the formality. Below them run elaborate acanthus scrolls, swans and vine tendrils, rendered with a delicacy that still looks impossible in stone. Mythological panels complete the programme, tying the emperor’s rule to Rome’s founding legends.
The altar was buried for centuries beneath the Campus Martius before being excavated and reassembled in the twentieth century. Since 2006 it has stood inside a purpose-built pavilion by American architect Richard Meier, the first major new architectural intervention in Rome’s historic centre in decades. Walls of glass flood the space with daylight, and the contrast between luminous modern lines and weathered ancient marble is deliberately striking.
The museum sits on the Tiber beside the Mausoleum of Augustus, within easy walking distance of Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. Allow around an hour, longer if a temporary exhibition is running.
Book through Thrillark and secure your entry at the best available rate, so you walk straight in and spend your time with the marble.
The carving is what holds people. On the outer walls a solemn procession winds around the altar, showing Augustus, members of the imperial family, priests and senators in careful order, with small human details breaking through the formality. Below them run elaborate acanthus scrolls, swans and vine tendrils, rendered with a delicacy that still looks impossible in stone. Mythological panels complete the programme, tying the emperor’s rule to Rome’s founding legends.
The altar was buried for centuries beneath the Campus Martius before being excavated and reassembled in the twentieth century. Since 2006 it has stood inside a purpose-built pavilion by American architect Richard Meier, the first major new architectural intervention in Rome’s historic centre in decades. Walls of glass flood the space with daylight, and the contrast between luminous modern lines and weathered ancient marble is deliberately striking.
The museum sits on the Tiber beside the Mausoleum of Augustus, within easy walking distance of Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. Allow around an hour, longer if a temporary exhibition is running.
Book through Thrillark and secure your entry at the best available rate, so you walk straight in and spend your time with the marble.
Inclusions
- Admission to the Ara Pacis Museum
- Access to the Altar of Peace and the permanent display
- Access to Richard Meier’s museum pavilion
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
Insiders' Tips
Visit shortly after the 09:30 opening on a weekday, when daylight through the glass walls is at its best and you can study the reliefs without anyone in front of you.
Additional Information
Operating Hours
- Open daily: 09:30 to 19:30
- Last admission is one hour before closing
- Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
- Reduced hours of 09:30 to 14:00 on 24 and 31 December
- No regular weekly closing day
- Children under 6 enter free with a complimentary ticket collected at the box office
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The museum suits older children with an interest in history
- Allow around an hour for a family visit
- Fully accessible for visitors with mobility disabilities
- Access ramps and lifts throughout the building
- Accessible restrooms available
- Cloakroom available for bags and personal items
- No entry in the final hour before closing
- Bulky bags, backpacks and umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom
- Potentially harmful objects are not permitted in the galleries
- Photography rules may vary during temporary exhibitions
- Located on Lungotevere in Augusta, beside the Mausoleum of Augustus
- Walking distance from Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps
- Allow around one hour for the permanent display
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation of at least 24 hrs before travel date: 100% refund
Extra cancellation or refund fees may apply. Any cancellations falling outside of the above policy are strictly non-refundable
Extra cancellation or refund fees may apply. Any cancellations falling outside of the above policy are strictly non-refundable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in an Ara Pacis Museum ticket?
Your ticket covers admission to the museum and full access to the Ara Pacis itself, along with the permanent display housed in Richard Meier’s pavilion. Temporary exhibitions require a combined ticket. Audio guides and guided tours are not included.
How long does a visit to the Ara Pacis Museum take?
Most visitors spend around an hour with the altar and the permanent display. Allow longer if a temporary exhibition is running or if you want to study the reliefs in detail. The museum is compact and easy to fit into a morning in the historic centre.
What are the Ara Pacis Museum opening hours?
The museum is open daily from 09:30 to 19:30, with last admission one hour before closing. Unlike many Roman museums it has no weekly closing day. It closes on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December, with shorter hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
What is the Ara Pacis?
It is the Altar of Augustan Peace, commissioned by the Roman Senate and inaugurated in 9 BC to mark the peace Emperor Augustus brought to the empire. Its marble walls carry a procession of the imperial family alongside elaborate floral reliefs and mythological scenes. It is one of the finest surviving works of Roman sculpture.
Where is the Ara Pacis Museum located?
The museum stands on Lungotevere in Augusta, on the banks of the Tiber in Rome’s historic centre. It sits directly beside the Mausoleum of Augustus and is an easy walk from Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. It is simple to combine with a morning exploring central Rome.
Do children need a ticket for the Ara Pacis Museum?
Children under 6 enter free, though a complimentary ticket must still be collected at the box office. All children should be accompanied by an adult.
Is the Ara Pacis Museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the museum is fully accessible for visitors with mobility disabilities, with access ramps and lifts throughout the building. Accessible restrooms are available on site. Disabled visitors and one accompanying companion enter free of charge.
Trustpilot
in Dubai