Augustus's altar of peace

The Ara Pacis Augustae ("Altar of Augustan Peace") is one of the masterpieces of Roman art: a marble altar commissioned by the Senate in 13 BC and completed in 9 BC to celebrate the peace (the Pax Romana) brought by Augustus after his military campaigns in Spain and Gaul. It is a monument of extraordinary refinement, carved from end to end with processions, mythological scenes and exquisite plant motifs.

Today the Ara Pacis sits inside a modern museum designed by Richard Meier, a glass-and-travertine case on the banks of the Tiber, near Piazza del Popolo. It is a rare meeting of Roman antiquity and contemporary architecture.

The reliefs: a "snapshot" of Augustan Rome

The walls of the altar are carved with famous reliefs:

  • The processional friezes, showing Augustus, the imperial family, priests and dignitaries on the move: a true "snapshot" of the Augustan court.
  • The relief of Tellus (or Italia), a symbol of fertility and prosperity.
  • The mythological scenes of Aeneas and the Lupercal (with the she-wolf), tying Augustus to the origins of Rome.
  • The acanthus scrolls, an exuberant display of tendrils, flowers and animals of the very highest quality.

We explore them in depth in our guide to what to see at the Ara Pacis.

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Richard Meier's museum

The monument is enclosed in the first major work of contemporary architecture built in Rome's historic center in modern times, the work of American architect Richard Meier (inaugurated in 2006). The luminous glass-and-travertine case sparked heated debate, but it protects the altar and brings out its details. We discuss it in our guide to Richard Meier's museum.

Entry and tickets

Unlike the days when it stood in the open air, the Ara Pacis is now visited with a ticket (it is part of Rome's Musei in Comune circuit). You'll find the details in our guide to Ara Pacis tickets and opening hours.

How long you need

You'll need roughly 45 minutes–1 hour for the visit: time enough to admire the altar, read the reliefs and discover Meier's design. It pairs perfectly with Piazza del Popolo, the nearby Mausoleum of Augustus and a stroll toward Piazza di Spagna.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ara Pacis? It is Augustus's Altar of Peace, a marble altar from 13–9 BC commissioned by the Senate to celebrate the peace brought by Augustus. It is famous for its reliefs with processions, mythological scenes and plant motifs.

Where is the Ara Pacis? In Rome's historic center, on the banks of the Tiber, in Piazza Augusto Imperatore, near Piazza del Popolo and the Mausoleum of Augustus. It is housed in a modern museum by Richard Meier.

Is there a charge to visit the Ara Pacis? Yes: it is now housed in a museum and visited with a ticket (the Musei in Comune circuit). Check prices and opening hours on the official website.

Who designed the Ara Pacis museum? American architect Richard Meier, with a building inaugurated in 2006: the first major work of contemporary architecture in Rome's historic center.

How long do you need for the visit? About 45 minutes–1 hour, to admire the altar, the reliefs and the museum's architecture.

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Article #352 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026