In sync with the Nuit Européenne Des Musées, the 14th edition of the “Notte dei Musei” (Night of the Museums) returns to Rome on Saturday, May 18, 2024. This captivating event combines art and entertainment into one grand evening celebration for both citizens and tourists.
Organized by Rome Capitale and the Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali, in collaboration with Zètema Progetto Cultura, the Notte dei Musei 2024 will feature extended opening hours from 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM (last entry at 1:00 AM) at various museums and cultural spaces throughout the city.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a rich program of live events and performances, carefully curated through a competitive selection process by Zètema Progetto Cultura.
The Civic Museums participating are the following:
The Musei Capitolini in Rome, Italy, are the oldest public museums in the world. Founded in 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV, they showcase an impressive collection of art and artifacts. Comprised of three main buildings—Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo dei Conservatori, and Palazzo Senatorio—the museums are located near the Roman Forum and a short walk from the Colosseum. Michelangelo was involved in their design, and the project was executed over the next 400 years. The Musei Capitolini house a diverse range of ancient sculptures, paintings, and archaeological treasures.
The Centrale Montemartini in Rome is an extraordinary example of industrial archaeology turned into a museum. Originally a thermal power plant, it opened in 1912 and was the first municipal plant to provide electricity to a significant part of the city. Named after councilor Giovanni Montemartini, the museum now houses about 400 Greek and Roman statues, previously exhibited in the Capitoline Museums. These sculptures are surrounded by restored machinery and other plant equipment, creating a unique juxtaposition of art and industry
Mercati di Traiano – Museo dei Fori Imperiali
The Mercati di Traiano – Museo dei Fori Imperiali in Rome is the first museum of ancient architecture. It showcases reconstructions of architectural and sculptural elements from the Imperial Forums, using original fragments, casts, and modular stone integrations. The museum’s design emphasizes reversibility in its presentation.
The Museo dell’Ara Pacis in Rome, designed by architect Richard Meier, is a triumphal architectural structure. It houses the ancient Ara Pacis Augustae, an altar celebrating peace during the reign of Emperor Augustus. The museum, inaugurated in 2006, replaced the previous protective casing designed by architect Vittorio Ballio Morpurgo in the 1930s.
The Museo di Roma is located in the heart of Renaissance and Baroque Rome, within the seventeenth-century Palazzo Braschi. Its collection offers a captivating visual narrative of the Eternal City, spanning from the 1600s to the 1900s. The museum was initially established during the Fascist era to document the local history and traditions of the “old Rome” that was rapidly disappearing. Over time, it has evolved into an art museum, showcasing works of art acquired through donations and acquisitions.
The Museo Napoleonico in Rome is a historical museum dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte’s relics. It primarily features artifacts from the collection of Count Giuseppe Primoli, who donated it to the city of Rome in 1927. The museum showcases art, Napoleonic memorabilia, and family heirlooms, all housed in the seventeenth-century Palazzo Primoli. Giuseppe Primoli, son of Count Pietro Primoli and Princess Carlotta Bonaparte, played a significant role in preserving this refined example of a house-museum.
The Museo di Roma in Trastevere is situated in Piazza Sant’Egidio, within a section of the former Monastery of the Barefoot Carmelite Nuns. Originally founded in the early 17th century near the church of San Lorenzo in Ianiculo, it was later restored and dedicated to Sant’Egidio. The museum offers insights into Rome’s history and culture, hosting exhibitions and events that showcase the city’s rich heritage.
Museo Pietro Canonica at Villa Borghese
The Museo Pietro Canonica is located in the heart of Villa Borghese, near Piazza di Siena and the Gigi Proietti Globe Theatre. Housed in a charming building known as the “Fortezzuola,” it was once the artist’s residence and studio. Pietro Canonica (1869-1959), an internationally renowned sculptor, left behind a rich legacy. The museum features his private apartment on the first floor, adorned with exquisite furnishings and 19th-century Piedmontese paintings. On the ground floor, visitors can explore Canonica’s sculptor’s studio, along with exhibition rooms showcasing busts, equestrian statues, sculptures, sketches, models, and casts. These artifacts not only trace the history from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s but also reveal the various stages and processes involved in sculptural art.
Musei di Villa Torlonia (including Casina delle Civette, Casino Nobile, and Serra Moresca)
The Musei di Villa Torlonia in Rome, Italy, are housed in three historic villas: Casino Nobile, Casina delle Civette, and Casino dei Principi. These museums showcase an eclectic collection of sculpture, paintings, furnishings, and decorative stained glass. The main ticket office is located just inside the Via Nomentana entrance to Villa Torlonia. Additionally, the villa’s gardens have also undergone restoration. The Casino Nobile hosts the Museo della Villa and a collection of works from the Scuola Romana, while the Museo della Casina delle Civette is dedicated to artistic stained glass.
Museo Carlo Bilotti – Aranciera di Villa Borghese
The Museo Carlo Bilotti – Aranciera di Villa Borghese resides within the Villa Borghese Orangery and houses a collection donated by Italian-American entrepreneur and collector Carlo Bilotti. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, and watercolors by artists such as Giorgio De Chirico, Gino Severini, Andy Warhol, Larry Rivers, and a sculpture by Giacomo Manzù. Some rooms in the museum are dedicated to temporary exhibitions.
Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco
The Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco is a significant cultural institution in Rome. Located near Piazza Navona in the heart of the historic center, this museum houses an extensive collection of ancient sculptures from various cultures and historical periods. The collection includes works from Assyrian, Egyptian, Cypriot, Phoenician, Etruscan, and Greco-Roman civilizations. The museum owes its existence to Giovanni Barracco, a wealthy Calabrian gentleman who generously donated these remarkable artworks to the City of Rome in 1902. It remains one of the most beautiful museum collections in Rome, accessible to the public.
The Museo Civico di Zoologia in Rome houses an impressive collection of natural history specimens. Its origins trace back to the naturalistic collections of the Papal Courts dating back to 1790. Founded in 1932, it is now part of Rome’s Musei in Comune network. With spectacular exhibitions and approximately three million preserved specimens, this museum serves as a vital center for biodiversity knowledge and conservation.
Museo della Repubblica Romana e della memoria garibaldina
The Museo della Repubblica Romana e della memoria garibaldina is part of Rome’s Musei in Comune network. Situated near Porta San Pancrazio in the Trastevere district, it was inaugurated on March 17, 2011, by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano during the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Italian unification. The museum commemorates the pivotal moments of the Roman Republic in 1849 through historical documents, artworks, multimedia materials, and educational exhibits.
The Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Rome, also known as the Galleria Comunale d’Arte Moderna, is a museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. It is located at 24 Via Francesco Crispi and is housed in a former Barefoot Carmelite monastery dating back to the 17th century. The collection includes over three thousand works, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and engravings. These pieces provide insight into the artistic and cultural history of Rome from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.
The Museo di Casal de’ Pazzi is part of the Musei Civici di Roma and is located in the Casal de’ Pazzi area, near the Aniene River between Via Nomentana and Via Tiburtina. This prehistoric museum showcases finds from an ancient riverbed dating back approximately 200,000 years. During your visit, you’ll see geological, paleontological, and archaeological artifacts, including ancient rocks shaped by water, large elephant tusks, and Paleolithic chipped flints. The museum also features a striking street art mural on its exterior wall along Via Egidio Galbani.
The Planetario di Roma is an impressive “space and time machine” located within the Museo della Civiltà Romana in Rome’s Eur district. With a 14-meter dome and 98 seats, it ranks among Italy’s largest planetariums. Dating back to 1928, it holds the distinction of being the oldest planetarium outside Germany. Inside the vast hall, visitors experience immersive journeys through outer space using high-performance digital projectors. The Sky Explorer software allows virtual exploration of the universe, from star movements to planetary flights. It’s a captivating blend of science and storytelling!
The Parco Archeologico del Celio occupies the northwestern sector of the Caelian Hill in Rome. This green area overlooks the Colosseum and preserves significant archaeological evidence, including remains from the temple of Divus Claudius. The park’s history spans from the 16th century (when it was a vineyard) to the Napoleonic era, when French occupiers deposited earth here from excavations at the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Visitors can explore ancient artifacts related to daily life, architecture, and administrative aspects of ancient Rome.
Event Details:
- Entrance fee: €1 per museum (unless otherwise specified).
- Free admission to Civic Museums for MIC Card holders.
- Museums open from 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM (last entry at 1:00 AM).
For more information, visit www.museiincomuneroma.it or call 060608.
