The Ara Pacis Museum, on Lungotevere in Augusta, houses the Altar of Peace that the Roman Senate had built in honour of Augustus, dedicated on 30 January 9 BC. Its marble reliefs show the imperial family in procession, mythological scenes and large acanthus scrolls. The altar is displayed in a glass and travertine pavilion designed by the American architect Richard Meier, opened in 2006. The museum is open every day from 9:30am to 7:30pm; a ticket costs €14 for non-residents. Allow about one hour.
Highlights
The Altar of Peace
Voted by the Senate on 4 July 13 BC, on Augustus's return from Gaul and Spain, the altar consists of a marble enclosure carved on both faces, surrounding the altar itself. Recovered in fragments from the 16th century onwards, the panels were reassembled in 1938 near the Mausoleum of Augustus. Walk all the way round the enclosure, then step inside to see the decoration of garlands and ox skulls.
The imperial procession
On the long north and south sides, the friezes show the procession on the day of the foundation: priests, magistrates and members of Augustus's family, including Agrippa, Livia and children holding the hem of a toga. It is one of the few group portraits of a ruling family to survive from antiquity.
The Tellus relief
On the east side, a seated goddess holds two children on her lap, surrounded by figures personifying air and water, a cow and a sheep. She is identified as the Earth (Tellus), Peace or Italy: she illustrates the prosperity promised by the peace of Augustus.
Richard Meier's pavilion
The first new building in the historic centre for decades, the museum replaces the shelter built in 1938. Its large glass walls look out on the Tiber and leave the altar in natural light. On the outer wall, facing Piazza Augusto Imperatore, is reproduced the text of the Res Gestae, the account of his reign written by Augustus.
The Mausoleum of Augustus
Across Via di Ripetta, Augustus's circular tomb, begun in 28 BC, dominates the redesigned Piazza Augusto Imperatore. It has been closed to visitors since 6 June 2022 for the completion of works; its reopening, with a museum based on a design by Rem Koolhaas, has been announced in the press for the end of 2026, but the Sovrintendenza Capitolina website (sovraintendenzaroma.it) still gives no date: check there before your visit. It can be seen freely from the outside, from the square.
Opening hours and tickets
Open every day from 9:30am to 7:30pm, last entry one hour before closing; closed on 1 May and 25 December, closing at 2pm on 24 and 31 December. Non-residents: €14, reduced €8.50 for ages 6 to 25. Free for under-6s, disabled visitors and one companion, MIC card holders, residents of Rome and the Metropolitan City on presentation of an ID (since February 2026) and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month. Temporary exhibitions and the multimedia experience "L'Ara si rivela" (€15, reduced €13) are charged separately. Online booking: €1 pre-sale fee.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Rent the video guide (€6) or audio guide (€4): the reliefs are easier to understand with the commentary. The MIC card, at €5 for 12 months, is only for people living or studying in Rome; tourists pay the non-resident ticket. On the first Sunday of the month, free entry draws crowds: come at opening time. Prices checked in October 2026.
How to get there
Lungotevere in Augusta, on the corner of Via Tomacelli, 00186 Rome. Metro line A, Spagna station (about 700 m via Via dei Condotti and Via Tomacelli) or Flaminio (about 900 m via Piazza del Popolo and Via di Ripetta). Buses 70, 81, 87, 492, 628, 990 and C3, Ripetta stop; buses 119, 628 and C3, Tomacelli stop.
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