On our last day in Rome, we had a bit of extra time, and the rain was coming down. We leafed desperately through the guidebook while riding the light rail toward the hotel, which was near Termini Station. Finally we got off the train and dove into the closest museum to the station, The National Museum of Rome.
Click here for previous chapters of “A Week in Rome.”
Modest on the outside, the museum’s modern interior features several levels of diverse attractions ranging from a massive fresco collection to a genuine treasure vault that would make any pirate drool. But first we must admire the discus man.
The Discus man is actually Greek. Well, maybe he is. Might be a roman copy.
Anyhow, the wide, spacious halls show off the works in a minimalist elegance, in contrast to the palacial appointments of the Borghese Gallery or the Capitoline Museum. Here, glass contrasts with ancient stone.
The museum is in the final stages of a major renovation, but already interior walls have been opened up with glass, giving the museum an airy feel even on a rainy day.
If you are a student of ancient history, you may recognize this sarcophogis, with its relief of the Roman Senate. I remember this from one of my textbooks.
Homer is hanging around, making sure the Romans don’t mess up any of his stories.
Of course, the museum also contains the requisite number of stairs, our final big climb of the trip.
At the top of those stairs is an exquisite fresco/mosaic exhibit, which requires reservations when you purchase your ticket. As we missed the last tour, we couldn’t get in, and had to march all the way back down those many stairs. Not to be thwarted in our last attempt at fun, we decided to check out the basement.
Let’s just say that Roman basements aren’t like our basements. In Rome, the basements are full of millions of dollars worth of gold coins. I think that’s what real estate people call a “finished” basement here in California. That would explain the prices around here.
Bank after bank of hundreds of gold, silver and bronze coins, tens of thousands in all, displayed behind thick glass. From ancient Rome through to today’s Euro. Every era leaving its stamp on the money of Rome. Contemporary stained glass art is featured throughout showing the coin-making processes through the ages.
The collection’s value is abundantly obvious, and although no armed guards can be seen, the doors are as thick as a Y2K shelter in Montana.
And this is yet another place in Rome where it’s easy to get ahead.
Table of Contents
The Colosseum
Palatine Hill
The Forum
The Pantheon
The Vatican
St. Peter in Chains
Imperial Lion
St. Peter’s Square and Basilica
Atop St. Peter’s Dome
Castel Sant’ Angelo (Pope hideaway on the Tiber River)
Day Trip to Florence
Castel Sant’ Angelo, Continued
St. Paul’s Outside the Walls (Vatican church in Rome’s Suburbs)
Great Fountains of Rome
Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museum): Romulus and Remus and Random Body Parts
Victor Emmanuel Monument (VE Monument)
National Museum of Rome: A Treasure Vault and Lots of Heads
Wrap-Up-The-First – Summary of the Trip
Wrap-Up-The-Last – Final Summary of the Trip