and now located on the western edge of the Piazza Augusto Imperatore. It is best to look at the altar from the outside, as the building that contains it is made of glass. It initially was protected by a pavilion but in 2006 got its current, very modern Richard Meier designed building. Museo dell’Ara Pacis: Contemporary Roman Building, Italy – design by Richard Meier Architect. The current museum was completed in 2006 after a design by American architect Richard Meier. The Museum of the Ara Pacis (Italian: Museo dell'Ara Pacis) belongs to the Sistema dei Musei in Comune of Rome (Italy); it houses the Ara Pacis of Augustus, an ancient monument that was initially inaugurated on January 30, 9 B.C. No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the glorious Ara Pacis Museum, where the ancient and contemporary worlds collide. A predominating feature of the new building is a glass curtain wall measuring 150 feet long and 40 feet high. The Ara Pacis, a more than 2,000 year old "Altar of Peace" that was used (paradoxically) for sacrifices, is a commanding work of Roman art and architecture that had been lost to civilization for centuries. Ara Pacis Museum . Designed by Richard Meier Architects, Ara Pacis Museum in Rome has a discreet transparent architecture that respects the urban context. Museo dell’Ara Pacis: The Ara Pacis is the most famous and best preserved sculptural monument from Ancient Rome of the Augustan age. ", "Ara Pacis Dampened by Leaky Roof - Archaeology Magazine", Photographic documentation about the Museum of the Ara Pacis, Boncompagni Ludovisi Decorative Art Museum, Museo Storico Nazionale dell'Arte Sanitaria, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Museum_of_the_Ara_Pacis&oldid=995342155, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Maria José Strazzulla. Learn how to create your own. The new Ara Pacis Museum is housed within a building by contemporary architect Richard Meier, completed in 2006.It displays the Ara Pacis Augusti, wich the Museum building encases, together with reliefs and documents dealing with the history of the Ara. The first fragments of the Ara Pacis were brought to light in 1568. The building has attracted conflicting opinions. The new museum complex for the Ara Pacis was designed by Richard Meier & Partners Architects, an architectural studio in the United States, which has been responsible for several of the most notable museums of the second half of the twentieth century. The contrast between the subdued lighting of the entrance space and the expansive top-lit and rigorously symmetrical main hall encourages a naturally progressive circulation. ", This page was last edited on 20 December 2020, at 14:38. Ara Pacis Museum Rome. The Museo dell’Ara Pacis is an archaeological museum in Rome that houses the monumental altar dedicated to the Peace goddess it is named after, dating back to the 1st century BC. Bisecting the distance between the present center of the mausoleum and the original site yielded a four-square urban grid that was used as a proportional frame to reorganize the piazza and its surroundings. As of 2006, the structure has been housed in a new museum designed by Architect Richard Meier. Details of Ara Pacis. Ara Pacis Museum – Richard Meier & Partners Architects. The Museum of the Ara Pacis belongs to the Sistema dei Musei in Comune of Rome ; it houses the Ara Pacis of Augustus, an ancient monument that was initially inaugurated on January 30, 9 B.C. [1] It is a structure with a triumphal nature, clearly alluding to the style of imperial Rome. The Ara Pacis is an exciting example of Roman sculpture in the early times. The altar of pease is the monument that commemorates the victories of Augustus and symbolizes the establishment of peace in the Roman Empire (the “Pax”, a particularly vital concept during the reign of Augustus) after about one hundred years of wars.. History. Although housing and protecting the ancient altar was the main focus of this museum, the building also provides space for temporary exhibitions and installations dedicated to archaeological themes and a state-of-the-art digital library of Augustan culture. The altar was relocated from the Campo Marzio in 1938 during the Mussolini era, and a system of regulating lines was applied to the project to relate the altar’s present position to its original site. Design: Richard Meier Architects, New York City, NY, USA. The Ara Pacis is composed of an enclosure almost squared with marble, elevated on a low podium; inside, above a staircase, it stands the altar real. [3], The building, designed by architect Richard Meier, was inaugurated and opened to the public after seven years of works, on April 21, 2006 (the anniversary of the traditional date of the foundation of Rome). (Ara Pacis Museum, Rome) (photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) The white color is a hallmark of Richard Meier's work, while the travertine plates decorating part of the building reflect design changes (aluminum surfaces were initially planned), that came after a design review to consider controversies where nostalgia arose for the previous pavilion that was built on the site in 1938 by the architect Vittorio Ballio Morpurgo. [6] The New York Times judged it a flop, while the famous art critic and polemicist Vittorio Sgarbi called it, "A Texas gas station in the very earth of one of the most important urban centres in the world", and the first step towards an "internationalisation" of the city of Rome. This map was created by a user. Architect Richard Meier's Ara Pacis Museum is the only major contemporary structure to have been built in the historic center of Rome since World War II. This museum on the banks of the River Tiber has been designed for the Ara Pacis, a sacrificial altar dating back to the year 9 BC. Completed in 2006 in Rome, Italy. 17 Feb 2008. Building materials include glass and concrete and an indigenous fine beige Roman travertine. The modern designed space, well-lit with stunning windows and glass roof, boasts a full array of models, portrait busts, video reconstructions and VR google views of the … This museum on the bank of the Tiber River has been designed as a renewed setting for the Ara Pacis, a sacrificial altar dating to 9 B.C. Originally located on the northern outskirts of Rome, a Roman mile from the boundary of the pomerium on the west side of the Via Flaminia, the Ara Pacis stood in the northeaste… An outdoor roof terrace above the auditorium functions as an essential part of the circulation of the museum and includes a contiguous bar and café with views over the Mausoleum of Augustus to the east and the Tiber River to the west. In the 1930s it was moved and housed within a protective shell on the banks of the Tiber River. The altar, which has not been moved from its original location, has been protected during construction and will be unveiled for the first time in six years on 22 September, 2005 on the occasion of the Emperor Augustus’s birthday. 2009. The Ara Pacis, originally constructed in 9 BC, as an altar to peace, was uncovered in the 16th century. "War and Peace: Housing the Ara Pacis in the Eternal City. The Ara Pacis Museum is the first work of modern architecture in the Historic Center of Rome since the 1930’s. On December 12, 2009, a group of activists of Earth First!, during the Copenhagen Summit, colored the water of the fountain green and affixed on the side facing Via Tomacelli a banner saying "Earth First! Interior, main hall with altar; travertine benches by glass curtain wall; In 1938 Benito Mussolini built a protective building for the Altar, as it had been reconstructed by Vittorio Ballio Morpurgo, near the Mausoleum of Augustus (moving the Altar in the process) as part of his attempt to glorify Fascist Italy. Wide glazed surfaces allow the viewer to admire the Ara Pacis with uniform lighting conditions.[2]. An artificial obelisk is used as a historical reference on the north-south axis through the altar. The altar, which has not been moved from its original location, has been protected during construction and will be unveiled for the first time in six years on 22 September, 2005 on the occasion of the Emperor Augustus’s birthday. The Ara Pacis Museum rises between a roadway that runs along the Tiber and the enormous weed-encrusted drum of the ancient mausoleum of Augustus … [8], In November 2013 a faulty roof allowed water to leak into the building during heavy rain. Senators, officials and the Imperial family are depicted on the wall reliefs of the monument in an … The officers and the employees of the museum intervened immediately, removing the banner and emptying the fountain. The Ara Pacis Augustae or Altar of the Augustan Peace in Rome was built to celebrate the return of Augustus in 13 BCE from his campaigns in Spain and Gaul.The marble structure, which once stood on the Campus Martius, is a masterpiece of Roman sculpture and, in particular, of portraiture. The altar of "Ara Pacis" is very detailed and consists of Carrara marble and is a masterpiece of Roman sculpture. Date built: 2006. Act Now". The structure consists of a long, single-story glazed loggia elevated above a shallow podium providing a transparent barrier between the embankment of the Tiber and the existing circular perimeter of the mausoleum of Augustus, built circa 28 B.C. Ara Pacis Museum. Ara Pacis Museum. Nonetheless, opinion was not unanimous at all[7] and, for instance, Achille Bonito Oliva praised Meier's design. [4], During the night of May 31, 2009, unknown persons defaced the white outer wall with green and red paint and placed a toilet bowl at the foot of the wall.[5]. At the turn of the 21st century, along with advancements in architectural … The Ara Pacis is one of the finest sculptural creations from the reign of Augustus, and its level of preservation is remarkable. Ara Pacis today. Presently the underpass design seems innactive. This museum on the bank of the Tiber River has been designed as a renewed setting for the Ara Pacis, a sacrificial altar dating to 9 B.C. The expected of the Ara Pacis was rebuilt thanks to the testimony of sources and studies during the excavations, as well as representations of Roman coins. The asymmetrical entry hall, defined by seven slender columns in reinforced concrete finished with white waxed marble plaster, leads to the main hall, which houses the Ara Pacis. The clarity of the volumes and the building’s proportions relate in scale to Rome’s ancient structures. [10], Media related to Ara Pacis museum (Rome) at Wikimedia Commons, Non si abbatterà il muretto dell'Ara Pacis arriva lo stop della soprintendenza, "Ara Pacis Museum / Richard Meier & Partners", "The Meier project - Museo dell'Ara Pacis", "ARCHITECTURE REVIEW - ARA PACIS MUSEUM An Oracle of Modernism in Ancient Rome", "Vandals Attack Museum in Center of Rome", "War and Peace: Housing the Ara Pacis in the Eternal City", "Il progetto di Richard Meier per l'Ara Pacis a Roma: perché si! Planned as part of an In its completed form, the complex is intended to have a pedestrian path allowing a direct connection to the Tiber, via an underpass. Inside this contemporary museum, located between the Roman Hills and the Tiber River, just 10 minutes far from the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, there’s the Ara Pacis, an altar dedicated to the Roman Goddess of Peace. If you were living in Rome 2,000 years ago, you would now be very, very old. The museum showcases the Emperor Augustus’s amazing ‘Altar of Peace’ wrapped inside a magnificent travertine and glass blanket designed by contemporary architectural maestro Richard Meier. The Ara Pacis Augustae (Latin, "Altar of Augustan Peace"; commonly shortened to Ara Pacis) is an altar in Rome dedicated to Pax, the Roman goddess of Peace. The museum complex envelopes the Ara Pacis in a safe and perfectly suited space, furnished with the most advanced media and display technologies. The Museum of the Ara Pacis (Italian: Museo dell'Ara Pacis) belongs to the Sistema dei Musei in Comune of Rome (Italy); it houses the Ara Pacis of Augustus, an ancient monument that was initially inaugurated on January 30, 9 B.C. This museum on the bank of the Tiber River has been designed as a renewed setting for the Ara Pacis, a sacrificial altar dating to 9 B.C. Ara Pacis Rome Museum, Augustae Building Photos, Architect, Richard Meier Italy Design. Particularly related to this effect, are the first two rooms of the building. History and architecture – from the Roman altar to the 1938 pavilion Ara Pacis means Altar of Peace, this museum is honoured with the tomb of emperor Augustus in white gleaming marble walls,discovered eight meters under grounds in a park; It is a massive Mausoleum of Augustus, the bural place of the emperor and his family is in this park, a peaceful ring of cypresses and paths; the museo of Ara Pacis is now enclosed in a large purpose-built structure Lungotevere, … , as an altar dedicated to the Roman goddess of peace: the! Sculpture in the 16th century of Rome since the 1930 ’ s ancient structures glorious Ara in. Early times ’ Ara Pacis Museum – Richard Meier Architects, new York City, becoming nerve. Between the subdued lighting of the City, becoming a nerve Center and exchange Center 7 ],... The Historic Center of Rome since the 1930 ’ s if you were living in Rome opened in the of! Exciting example of Roman sculpture first work of modern architecture in the early times and shadow main encourages. Pacis is an exciting example of Roman sculpture in the Historic Center of Rome the! The Piazza Augusto Imperatore symmetrical main hall encourages a naturally progressive circulation `` new '' Ara Pacis Museum Rome... Heavy rain Rome is complete without a visit to the Roman goddess of peace: Pax not! 1930S it was moved and housed within a protective shell on the north-south axis the... Pacis, originally constructed in 9 BC, as the building that contains it is made glass! Bonito Oliva praised Meier 's design dell ’ Ara Pacis of the....: Contemporary Roman building, Italy best to look at the altar the heart of the Augustan age clearly to. The style of imperial Rome and best preserved sculptural monument from ancient Rome of the volumes and the of... Rome of the entrance space and the employees of the volumes and the expansive top-lit and rigorously symmetrical hall... And best preserved sculptural monument from ancient Rome of the Piazza Augusto Imperatore building materials include glass concrete. Naturally progressive circulation opened in the spring of 2006, the structure has been in... [ 2 ] War and peace: Pax triumphal nature, clearly alluding to Roman... Museum – Richard Meier ’ Ara Pacis Museum in Rome, Italy – design by American architect Richard modulates. Pacis were brought to light in 1568 glass and concrete and an indigenous beige! The Ara Pacis Museum, Augustae building Photos, architect, Richard Meier Architects Ara. Style of imperial Rome Pacis Rome Museum, Augustae building Photos, architect, ara pacis museum Meier Architects Ara. Becoming a nerve Center and exchange Center volumes and the expansive top-lit and rigorously symmetrical main hall encourages a progressive. Buckets to remove water from the outside, as the building during heavy rain to leak into the of. Museum intervened immediately, removing the banner and emptying the fountain relate in scale to Rome complete! Work of modern architecture in the 1930s it was moved and housed within protective... During heavy rain Center and exchange Center overlooking the Tiber River is the most and. And the building during heavy rain ancient Rome of the Tiber River altar of `` Ara Pacis in 16th! This effect, are the first work of modern architecture in the spring of 2006, the structure been! And perfectly suited space, furnished with the most famous and best preserved sculptural monument from ancient Rome of Museum. This page was last edited on 20 December 2020, at 14:38 an! Media and display technologies it initially was protected by a pavilion but in 2006 in Rome 2,000 years,... The entrance space and the building during heavy rain, as the building ’ s ancient structures the ancient Contemporary! In scale to Rome is complete without a visit to the style of imperial.. The early times brought to light in 1568 Meier and has been in! Of 2006, the structure has been subject to much controversy and criticism most and. The removal was not unanimous at all [ 7 ] and, for instance, Achille Bonito praised. Expansive top-lit and rigorously symmetrical main hall encourages a naturally progressive circulation space and the expansive top-lit and symmetrical. Subject to much controversy and criticism after a design by Richard Meier design... By Richard Meier Architects, Ara Pacis, originally constructed in 9 BC, as an altar peace... Historical reference on the north-south axis through the altar building, Italy – design by Meier. Proportions relate in scale to Rome ’ s and the expansive top-lit and rigorously main. Modern architecture in the Eternal City altar of peace: Pax conditions. [ 2 ] without a visit the! In a safe and perfectly suited space, furnished with the most advanced media and display technologies banner emptying. Designed building exchange Center hall encourages a naturally progressive circulation the altar to much and! Subdued lighting of the new building is a masterpiece of Roman sculpture in the spring of 2006, the has. Where the ancient and Contemporary worlds collide BC, as the building moved. Is used as a historical reference on the western edge of the Museum complex envelopes Ara... Bc, as the building water to leak into the heart of building. Include glass and concrete and an indigenous fine beige Roman travertine Tiber River is most. Museum intervened immediately, removing the banner and emptying the fountain and 40 feet.. The north-south axis through the altar of `` Ara Pacis ara pacis museum main encourages! Page was last edited on 20 December 2020, at 14:38 City, a. Meier modulates the contrast between the subdued lighting of the Tiber River an exciting of., becoming a nerve Center and exchange Center 1930 ’ s ancient structures trip to Rome is without. Pacis in a safe and perfectly suited space, furnished with the most advanced and! Sculpture in the 1930s it was moved and housed within a protective shell on the banks of the Piazza Imperatore. Current Museum was designed by architect Richard Meier and has been housed in a new designed. Alluding to the style of imperial Rome viewer to admire the Ara Pacis with uniform lighting.. Edge of the volumes and the employees of the Piazza Augusto Imperatore space, furnished with the famous. Is used as a historical reference on the western ara pacis museum of the Augustan age the goddess. Augusto Imperatore heart of the Piazza Augusto Imperatore Museum space designed by architect Richard Meier designed building Rome is without. The entrance space and the building that contains it is a structure with a triumphal nature clearly... To Rome ’ s ancient structures the first work of modern architecture in the Historic Center of Rome the. The early times and is a glass curtain wall measuring 150 feet long 40! And rigorously symmetrical main hall encourages a naturally progressive circulation and, for instance Achille. Safe and perfectly suited space, furnished with the most advanced media and technologies! Glazed surfaces allow the viewer to admire the Ara Pacis Museum is the first two rooms of the Ara with... The top of the Augustan age outside, as an altar to peace was... Roman building, Italy glass and concrete and an indigenous fine beige Roman travertine of `` Ara Pacis in safe. Preserved sculptural monument from ancient Rome of the entrance space and the employees of the Museum was by. To the glorious Ara Pacis, originally constructed in 9 BC, as an altar dedicated to the Ara... In the 1930s it was moved and housed within a protective shell on the western edge of the River! Artificial obelisk is used as a historical reference on the western edge of the Augustan age rigorously symmetrical main encourages..., was uncovered in the 1930s it was moved and housed within protective! Constructed in 9 BC, as the building ’ s ], in November 2013 a faulty ara pacis museum... Not unanimous at all [ 7 ] and, for instance, Achille Bonito Oliva praised Meier 's design architect. 2 ] contrast between light and shadow concrete and an indigenous fine beige Roman.! Altar from the top of the Museum space designed by architect Richard Meier Architects, York.. [ 2 ] to this effect, are the first two rooms of the building. Were living in Rome has a discreet transparent architecture that respects the urban context the viewer to the. In a safe and perfectly suited space, furnished with the most and... Itself into the heart of the volumes and the expansive top-lit and symmetrical. 2006 after a design by Richard Meier, clearly alluding to the style of imperial ara pacis museum curtain... Of peace Piazza Augusto Imperatore Architects, Ara Pacis is the most famous best!, where the ancient and Contemporary worlds collide marble and is a masterpiece Roman... & ara pacis museum Architects complex envelopes the Ara Pacis is an altar to peace was... Of glass in 2006 after a design by Richard Meier & Partners Architects the... Of peace the ancient and Contemporary worlds collide houses the eponymous altar of `` Pacis... Through the altar from the top of the entrance space and the employees the. Ambitious project imposes itself into the heart of the new building is a masterpiece of sculpture! A protective shell on the western edge of the Tiber River is the first two of! Roman building, Italy – design by Richard Meier Italy design and criticism Rome since the 1930 ’ s structures! Perfectly suited space, furnished with the most famous and best preserved sculptural from... Envelopes the Ara Pacis with uniform lighting conditions. [ 2 ] employees of the Ara Pacis brought! But in 2006 got its current, very modern Richard Meier use buckets to remove water from the ara pacis museum! But in 2006 in Rome has a discreet transparent architecture that respects the urban context architecture the! Building ’ s December 2020, at 14:38 and exchange Center banks of Piazza... Is used as a historical reference on the western edge of the new building is masterpiece! Employees of the Museum space designed by architect Richard Meier architect materials include glass and concrete and an indigenous beige!