A Renaissance palace beside Piazza Navona

Just steps from Piazza Navona, Palazzo Altemps is one of the most captivating and least crowded spots in Rome: an elegant Renaissance palace that today houses one of the four seats of the National Roman Museum / Museo Nazionale Romano. Inside lives the celebrated Ludovisi collection, one of the world's most important holdings of ancient sculpture, with masterpieces such as the Ludovisi Throne and the dying Gaul. The visit blends classical art with the story of art collecting, all in an intimate, refined setting.

Why visit Palazzo Altemps

Palazzo Altemps is the perfect destination for anyone who loves ancient sculpture away from the crowds. The museum is devoted to the history of collecting: Greek and Roman statues stand in the palace's frescoed halls, recreating the atmosphere of the great noble collections of the Renaissance and the Baroque. Add to that the beauty of the palace itself, with its courtyard, painted loggia and private chapel.

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What to see at Palazzo Altemps

The heart of the visit is the Ludovisi collection and its masterpieces:

  • The Ludovisi Throne, a Greek original carved with the high relief of the birth of Aphrodite.
  • The dying Gaul (Ludovisi Gaul), the warrior taking his own life.
  • The Ludovisi Ares, restored by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
  • The great Ludovisi sarcophagus, depicting the battle between Romans and barbarians.
  • The colossal Ludovisi Juno, admired by Goethe.

Dig deeper in our guides to the Ludovisi collection at Palazzo Altemps and what to see at Palazzo Altemps.

The National Roman Museum

Palazzo Altemps is part of the National Roman Museum / Museo Nazionale Romano, together with three other seats you can visit on a single ticket:

Tickets and how to get there

Admission is generally with a National Roman Museum ticket, often valid for the other seats as well (hours and rates are indicative; check the official site). Find all the details in Palazzo Altemps tickets and hours. To plan your route, see how to get to Palazzo Altemps.

Frequently asked questions

What is Palazzo Altemps? A Renaissance palace near Piazza Navona, a seat of the Museo Nazionale Romano, home to the Ludovisi collection of ancient sculpture.

What can you see at Palazzo Altemps? The Ludovisi collection with masterpieces such as the Ludovisi Throne, the dying Gaul, the Ares restored by Bernini and the great sarcophagus, along with the frescoed palace itself.

Where is it? In Rome's historic centre, just steps from Piazza Navona (Piazza di Sant'Apollinare).

Is the ticket valid for the other seats too? The National Roman Museum ticket generally covers all four seats (Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Terme di Diocleziano, Crypta Balbi). Check the official site.

Is it a good fit for lovers of ancient art? Absolutely: it's one of Rome's finest collections of classical sculpture, in an evocative and uncrowded setting.

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Article #638 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026