Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
MUSEO NAZIONALE ROMANO: PALAZZO ALTEMPS
Palazzo Altemps is a beautiful, late-15th-century
palazzo,
housing the best of the Museo Nazionale Romano's clas-
sical sculpture and Egyptian collection. Many pieces come from the celebrated Ludovisi collection, amassed by
Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi in the 17th century.
Prize exhibits include the beautiful 5th-century
Trono Ludovisi
(Ludovisi Throne), a carved marble block whose
central relief depicts a naked Aphrodite being modestly plucked from the sea. It shares a room with two colossal
heads, one of which is the goddess Juno dating from around 600 BC. The wall frieze (about half of which remains)
depicts the 10 plagues of Egypt and the Exodus.
Equally affecting is the sculptural group
Galata Suicida
(Gaul's Suicide), a melodramatic depiction of a Gaul
knifing himself to death over a dead woman.
The building's baroque frescoes provide an exquisite decorative backdrop. The walls of the
Sala delle Prospet-
tive Dipinte
are decorated with landscapes and hunting scenes seen through trompe l'œil windows. These frescoes
were painted for Cardinal Altemps, the rich nephew of Pope Pius IV (r 1560-65) who bought the
palazzo
in the
late 16th century. For more information on a combined admission ticket, see p .
DON'T MISS…
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Trono Ludovisi
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Galata Suicida
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Sala delle Prospettive Dipinte
PRACTICALITIES
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MAP
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06 3996 7700
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Piazza Sant'Apollinare 44
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adult/reduced €7/3.50
