Where the gods meet the machines
The Centrale Montemartini is Rome's most surprising and unusual museum: a place where the statues of ancient Rome stand against a backdrop of vast industrial machines from the early 1900s. You'll find it at Via Ostiense 106, in the Ostiense district just south of the historic centre, inside Rome's first public thermoelectric power station, opened in 1912.
The effect is spectacular and almost poetic: classical marbles, gods and emperors silhouetted against diesel engines, boilers and turbines. It's a dialogue between two very different kinds of "deity" — those of antiquity and those of industry — that turns the visit into a one-of-a-kind experience, far from the crowds of the city-centre museums. Rarely crowded and highly photogenic, it's perfect for anyone after a different kind of day out or with a love of photography: the contrast between the white of the marbles and the black of the machines creates views you'll find nowhere else.
From power station to museum
The building began life as the Giovanni Montemartini thermoelectric power station, Rome's first public plant for generating electricity. After it was decommissioned, the space was reclaimed, and in 1997 it hosted a temporary exhibition — The Machines and the Gods (Le Macchine e gli Dei) — to display part of the Capitoline Museums' collections during renovation work. The show was so successful that the display became permanent: today the Centrale Montemartini is a branch of the Capitoline Museums, part of the same museum network run by the City of Rome.
What to see
A visit to the Centrale Montemartini unfolds in two acts: the classical archaeology of Roman statues and the industrial archaeology of the power station's machines. The collection includes hundreds of ancient sculptures, mosaics and finds, displayed hall by hall.
The Machine Hall
This is the museum's showstopping heart: a vast hall where the former power station's diesel engines and generators form the backdrop to statues, portraits and sarcophagi. The pairing of black metal machinery and white marble creates an unforgettable scene, one of the most photographed in Rome. Here the dialogue between "the machines and the gods" reaches its peak.
The Boiler Hall
In the Boiler Hall, dominated by an enormous steam boiler, you'll find numerous sculptures from the Horti (gardens) — the sprawling garden-residences of ancient Rome's aristocratic families — alongside statues of deities and notable figures. The sheer scale of the industrial plant plays off against the refinement of the ancient marbles.
The statues from the Horti
A significant part of the collection comes from the Horti of Rome, the lavish garden-residences of the Roman aristocracy. Among sculptures of deities, nymphs, athletes and portraits, you'll spot works of exceptional quality — often Roman copies of Greek originals — that once adorned these havens of leisure and beauty.
The pediment of the Temple of Apollo Sosianus
Among the standout pieces is the pediment of the Temple of Apollo Sosianus, with its great sculptural group depicting the battle between Greeks and Amazons (the Amazonomachy): a rare surviving example of classical-era pediment sculpture, reassembled and displayed in the museum.
Mosaics, portraits and sarcophagi
Rounding out the visit:
- Mosaics for floors and decoration, of remarkable quality.
- Portraits of emperors and Roman figures, strikingly lifelike.
- Funerary sculptures and finely carved sarcophagi.
A suggested route
An ideal route through the museum:
- Hall of Columns (an introduction to the collection)
- Machine Hall (the showstopping heart, statues + engines)
- Boiler Hall (statues from the Horti + steam boiler)
- The pediment of Apollo Sosianus and the mosaics
In about one to one and a half hours you can take it all in at a relaxed pace, savouring the contrasts.
Tickets and opening hours
Admission to the Centrale Montemartini requires a modestly priced ticket (indicative — check current prices on the official website), with a reduced rate for eligible categories and free entry for some. As part of Rome's Musei in Comune network, it follows the same pricing and concession rules as the Capitoline Museums system.
| Ticket | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard | Modest price; check current rates on the official website |
| Reduced | For statutory eligible categories |
| Free | For some categories, plus free admission days |
| Combined (with Capitoline Museums) | Valid for both sites for a set number of days; best value if you want to see both |
| MIC Card (Rome residents) | Unlimited entry to the city's civic museums for a full year |
Combined ticket with the Capitoline Museums
A combined ticket valid for both the Centrale Montemartini and the Capitoline Museums (on Capitoline Hill) is often available for a set number of days. If you want to see both, it's the best value: check availability and prices on the official website.
MIC Card
If you live in Rome, you can use the MIC Card (for residents), which grants unlimited entry to the city's civic museums, including the Centrale Montemartini, for a full year.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday–Sunday | Open, continuous hours (times indicative — check the official website) |
| Monday | Closed |
Last admission is normally about an hour before closing. The museum may close on certain public holidays.
Free admission
There are free admission days throughout the year (City of Rome initiatives). These are the best-value occasions, but also the busiest.
How to get there
The Centrale Montemartini sits at Via Ostiense 106, in the Ostiense district, just south of the historic centre. It's close to other local highlights such as the Pyramid of Cestius, Porta San Paolo and the Garbatella neighbourhood, and it's easy to reach by public transport.
By metro
The most convenient option is the metro:
- Garbatella (Line B) — the stop is a few minutes' walk from the museum. It's the fastest, most direct choice.
- Alternatively, Piramide (Line B) is about a 12–15 minute walk along Via Ostiense.
By train (Metromare)
The area is also served by the Metromare line (formerly the Roma-Lido), which departs from Porta San Paolo (next to Piramide): handy if you're coming from Ostia or the coast.
On foot and by bike
From Piramide / Porta San Paolo, the Centrale Montemartini is a 12–15 minute stroll along Via Ostiense, a street rich in street art and industrial archaeology. The area is also a pleasure to explore by bike.
By car and the ZTL
The Ostiense district lies farther out than the historic centre, but parking is still limited and partly paid. With a private driver (NCC) the problem simply disappears: they drop you at the entrance and handle the driving and the waiting, ideal if you want to pair the Centrale Montemartini with other stops or an airport transfer.
Practical tips
- Buy online to skip the line, especially on free days.
- Avoid Mondays: that's the closing day.
- Consider the combined ticket if you also want to see the Capitoline Museums.
- Bring a camera: the statue-versus-machine contrast is one of the most photogenic in Rome.
- Allow about an hour to an hour and a half for a full, unhurried visit.
A suggested itinerary
The Centrale Montemartini pairs well with the other stops around Ostiense:
- The Pyramid of Cestius and the Non-Catholic Cemetery.
- The Garbatella neighbourhood, with its one-of-a-kind architecture.
- The Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, a little farther south.
A private driver keeps your itinerary flowing in an area less served than the classic tourist circuits, between street art and industrial archaeology.
Want to discover the Centrale Montemartini without worrying about parking or the ZTL?
My Rome Driver takes you to Ostiense with a private driver, pairing the museum with the city centre and other stops. Fixed price, door to door.
Check availability and request a quote
Reply within 30 minutes · Fixed price · Free cancellation up to 24h before
Frequently asked questions
What is the Centrale Montemartini? It's a museum in Rome, a branch of the Capitoline Museums, set inside a former thermoelectric power station from 1912. It displays statues of ancient Rome against a backdrop of huge industrial machines: a contrast found nowhere else in the world.
Why are the statues displayed among the machines? Because the display began in 1997 as a temporary exhibition (The Machines and the Gods) in the former power station, during renovation work at the Capitoline Museums. Its success made it permanent.
What is there to see at the Centrale Montemartini? Roman statues, portraits, mosaics and sarcophagi displayed among the industrial machines of the former power station: the Machine Hall with its diesel engines, the Boiler Hall with the statues from the Horti, and the pediment of the Temple of Apollo Sosianus.
How much does a ticket cost, and which day is it closed? The price is modest, with statutory reductions and free entry, in line with the Musei in Comune network — check current rates on the official website. The museum is normally closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday with continuous hours.
Which metro stop is closest? Garbatella on Line B, a few minutes' walk from the museum. Alternatively, Piramide (Line B), a 12–15 minute walk away.
How long does a visit take? About an hour to an hour and a half. It's a compact but rich museum, perfect to combine with a stroll through the Ostiense and Garbatella districts.
Is the Centrale Montemartini worth visiting? Absolutely: it's one of Rome's most original experiences, uncrowded and highly photogenic, ideal for anyone who has already seen the great classics and is looking for something different.
Read also
- The Machines and the Gods: the concept behind the Centrale Montemartini
- Capitoline Museums: the complete guide
Book a driver for the Centrale Montemartini
Fixed price · ZTL access · Door to door