New Museum Opens in Rome

On April 21, the date celebrated as Rome's birthdate, the museum housing the Ara Pacis Augustae opened to the public. The Ara Pacis is a sacrificial altar completed in 9 B.C. in honor of Emperor Augustus. The new museum, the first modern building to be built in Rome's ancient center since Mussolini's time, is a glass, steel, and travertine marble structure. The museum generated much controversy due to the modernity of the structure. Besides housing the altar, the museum will have another exhibition space and an auditorium. Here are photos of the museum and the altar from arcspace. Visitors can see the Ara Pacis daily from 9AM - 7PM, except Mondays. The museum is on the edge of Piazza Augusto Imperatore near Ponte Cavour.

In other Rome museum news, A 1,000-year-old marble head of Dionysius, the Greek god of wine, that was stolen in 1983 from Villa Torlonia was returned to Italian officials. Dionysius' head, taken from the body of the statute, will be returned to Villa Torlonia. The villa, recently restored and opened to the public, is Mussolini's former residence.

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