A journey through archaeology and industry

A visit to Centrale Montemartini unfolds in two acts: the classical archaeology of Roman statues and the industrial archaeology of the power station's machines. Here's what not to miss, 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 gardens 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.

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The statues from the Horti

A significant part of the collection comes from the Horti (gardens) 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.

The mosaics and the portraits

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.

How to plan your visit

An ideal route:

  1. Hall of Columns (an introduction to the collection)
  2. Machine Hall (the showstopping heart, statues + engines)
  3. Boiler Hall (statues from the Horti + steam boiler)
  4. 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, savoring the contrasts.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see at 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.

What is the Machine Hall? The museum's most striking hall, where the former power station's diesel engines form the backdrop to the ancient statues: the most photographed contrast at Centrale Montemartini.

What are the statues from the Horti? Sculptures from the Horti, the great garden-residences of ancient Rome's aristocracy, which adorned these havens of leisure with deities, nymphs and portraits.

What is the pediment of Apollo Sosianus? The sculptural group that decorated the pediment of the Temple of Apollo Sosianus, depicting the battle between Greeks and Amazons: a rare example of classical pediment sculpture, on display in the museum.

How much time do you need to see everything? About one to one and a half hours: the museum is compact but rich, and it deserves an unhurried visit to enjoy the contrasts between statues and machines.

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Article #320 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026