The first modern construction in Rome's historic center since WWII, Richard Meier's glass-and-marble pavilion houses the remnants of the Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Peace), Augustus' great monument to peace, and echoes the fascist architecture that surrounds Piazza Augusto Imperatore. One of the most important works of ancient Roman sculpture, the marble altar – measuring 11.6m by 10.6m by 3.6m – was completed in 13 BCE, and was originally positioned near Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, southeast of its current site.
Over the centuries the altar fell victim to Rome's avid art collectors, and panels ended up in the Medici collection, the Vatican and the Louvre. However, in 1936 Mussolini unearthed the remaining parts and decided to reassemble them in their present location. Of the reliefs, the most important depicts Augustus at the head of a procession, followed by priests, the general Marcus Agrippa and the entire imperial family.
Temporary exhibitions are often staged in the basement galleries, combination museum/exhibition tickets are available (adult/reduced €23/17).
