Collections of Centrale Montemartini Museum
Also known as the first carriage, the Loggia of Blessings is one of the main highlights that you can admire with the Centrale Montemartini tickets. This loggia was used mainly for papal blessings, and is a terraced carriage, with balustrades on both of its sides. The sides are also decorated with golden twisted columns, along with a frieze on the upper part, and a frame of oak and laurel leaves on top of it. The interiors of the loggia are gilded with velvet, while the vault is decorated with a fake painted sky, creating a stunning illusion of an outdoor setting indoors.
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Connected to the first carriage by a small platform is the second carriage or the Throne Room. This room has fine wrought iron railings as well as gates. There is also a small annex apartment here, which is used by the Pope for private purposes. The interiors of the Throne Room are in white and golden yellow hues, while the walls are full of tapestries. There is a throne in the room as well, which is surmounted by the arms of the Pope.
Amongst the major collections within the Museo Centrale Montemartini is the Chapel, located in the third carriage. This houses an even bigger and grander chapel, which is used by the Pope to celebrate the mass. The chapel was built in Paris according to a design by Emile Trelat, who was the professor of the Imperial Parisian Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. The exteriors of the chapel are clad in silver and copper gilds, and also boast of reliefs and sculptures. The interiors are rich with paintings and friezes.
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The Loggia delle Benedizioni is a beautiful, ornate loggia located in the Centrale Montemartini museum in Rome. The loggia was used as a space for papal blessings. The loggia is decorated with intricate Renaissance-style frescoes and stucco work. The ceiling of the loggia is painted with a scene of the Last Supper, and the walls are adorned with images of saints and biblical scenes. The Loggia delle Benedizioni is a stunning example of Renaissance art and architecture, and is well worth a visit when exploring the Centrale Montemartini museum.
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With your Centrale Montemartini tickets, you can also marvel at the magnificent external decoration of the chapel. This decoration consists of silver as well as gilded copper claddings, which were made by Christofle. There are also a number of reliefs and sculptures in the chapel’s exteriors, which were made by Godin, and include the sculptures of three angels on each side. These are attributed to the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. The corners of the chapel are decorated with statues of four griffins.
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The Centrale Montemartini chapel is a small, unassuming space located within the former power plant turned museum. The room is dominated by a large crucifix, which hangs on the wall behind the altar. The altar itself is a simple wooden table, with a white cloth draped over it. On either side of the altar are two small windows, which allow natural light to enter the space. The chapel is sparsely decorated, with a few candles and a plant located near the entrance.
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When using the Centrale Montemartini tickets, don’t miss out on seeing the Roundels painted by Jean Léon Gérôme here. These roundels were hung in the main room of the Chapel and were used for the private use of the Pope during his journeys on the papal train. Jean Léon Gérôme also designed numerous paintings that decorate the Chapel’s ceiling. These paintings are widely based on the masterpieces of the Renaissance era and are made in a purist style.
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Another major highlight of this museum is the relief plate which consists of the coat of arms of Pius IX. This relief was created using the process of electroplating and depicts the coat of arms of Pius IX, which is supported by angels with pontifical keys. This relief plate was also used as a decoration on the Papal trains. It is also believed that this plate was used on the very train that now lies preserved in the Centrale Montemartini.
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When visiting Museo Centrale Montemartini, you can see the portrait of Augustus housed here. The portrait of Augustus in Centrale Montemartini is a bust that was found in the ruins of a villa in Rome. It is a marble portrait of a man who is middle-aged, with a receding hairline and a beard. He is wearing a toga, which is a sign of his high status. The portrait is a realistic representation of Augustus, and it shows him as a powerful and respected leader.
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The Statue of Orpheus among the animals in Centrale Montemartini is a beautiful work of art. The statue depicts Orpheus, the legendary musician and poet, surrounded by animals. The animals are all different kinds, and they all seem to be listening to Orpheus playing his music. The statue is very realistic, and it is a great example of the artist's skill.
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History of the Centrale Montemartini Museum
When you avail the Centrale Montemartini tickets, you can also learn about the rich history of this unique museum. The history of this landmark begins in the year 1997, when a selection of sculptures, artworks, and other archaeological discoveries were transferred to the power plant from the Capitoline Museums. Since the museums were undergoing renovations at the time, the Capitoline Superintendency for Cultural Heritage organised an exhibition at Centrale Montemartini. This was a time when the landmark had large spaces, which were housing numerous huge industrial machinery within its premises. While the power plant had restored the machinery, thereby adapting the place to be used as a museum, the Capitoline Museums curated the collections to be kept as archaeological exhibitions here. This exhibition came to be known as “Machines and Gods,” and was opened to the public in October 1997. A lot of people booked their Centrale Montemartini tickets, thereby validating the new exhibition space. The interest was so high that in 2001, the experiment was changed from a temporary exhibition space into a permanent museum. Ever since, the Museo Centrale Montemartini has organised new exhibitions, complete with recent archaeological finds and displays. In November 2016, the museum was renovated and a new room was opened here, which housed the carriages of Pius IX’s train.
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Plan Your Visit to Centrale Montemartini Museum
Opening Hours: You can avail the Centrale Montemartini tickets and visit the museum between:09:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. from Tuesdays to Sundays09:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. on December 24th and 31stThe museum remains closed on Mondays, January 1st, May 1st and December 25th
Location: Use your Centrale Montemartini tickets to visit the museum, which is located at:Montemartini plantVia Ostiense 106 - 00154 Rome
How to Reach:-
- By Metro: You can avail a ride on Metro Line B, which stops at the Garbatella Station. From here, you can take a short 12-minute walk to get to the museum. You can also take a metro to the Rosa Ostiense Metro Station, which is located 13 minutes away from the museum.
- By Bus: You can avail a ride on buses which serve route 792, and get off at the Garbatella or Ostiense bus stops, both of which are in close proximity to the museum.
Best Time to Visit: When planning to visit the museum with your Centrale Montemartini tickets, the best time that you should come here is during the morning hours, when the museum opens for the day. This is when the museum is less crowded and the lighting is better for viewing the exhibits. You can also explore the museum without having to deal with a lot of rush during this time.
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- Centrale Montemartini is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities or those on wheelchairs
- There are multiple ramps inside the museum, in addition to elevators which can take visitors to the upper levels without any difficulty
- Visitors with strollers or prams are allowed inside the museum
- Guided tours are available in several languages within the museum
- There is a small bookshop within the museum, where you can find editorial products, along with museum guides, catalogues and more
FAQs
Which are the best collections of Centrale Montemartini?
The Power Plant:This is one of the best collections of the Museo Centrale Montemartini. Upon entering the museum, you can find huge pillars of reinforced concrete, similar to the Corinthian columns, in addition to statues of ancient gods, as well as a plethora of other exhibits.
Greek statue copiesIn addition to real Greek and Roman statues, you can also find several copies of Greek statues in the museum, which are located in the Hall of the Machines. These copies date all the way back to the 1st century, and depict a lot of figures and gods of antiquity. A lot of these copies were also found in places like the Flaminio Circus, Theatre of Pompeii, Temple of Apollo and more.
The train of Pope Pius IXLocated within the museum is the Train of Pope Pius IX, a special train that was used to transport the pope and his entourage around the Papal States. The train was outfitted with luxurious accommodations and featured a number of notable features, including a library, a chapel, and a dining car. The train was used by the pope until his death in 1878, after which it was retired.
What is Centrale Montemartini known for?
Museo Centrale Montemartini is known for being one of the most unusual and unique museums in Italy. It is a power plant in Rome, which was converted into a museum, and is now famous for being home to a collection of Roman and Greek sculptures that were originally located in the Capitoline Museums. The Centrale Montemartini is the only museum in the world that is located in a power plant.
Is Centrale Montemartini worth visiting?
Yes, Centrale Montemartini is definitely worth visiting. It is one of the oldest and most well-preserved power plants in the world. The plant dates back to the early 20th century and is a beautiful example of Art Deco architecture. The plant is now home to a museum which houses a collection of Roman and Greek sculptures which were earlier displayed in Rome’s Capitoline Museums.
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Is Centrale Montemartini wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Centrale Montemartini is fully accessible by visitors in wheelchairs.
What are the visiting hours of Centrale Montemartini?
With your Centrale Montemartini tickets, you can easily book a visit to this museum, the visiting hours of which are between 09:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. from Tuesdays to Sundays.
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What is the best time to visit Centrale Montemartini?
The best time to explore the museum with your Centrale Montemartini tickets is during the morning hours when the museum is less crowded, and the lighting is better to admire the displays and statues here.
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