Similar to the Musei Vaticani, the Museo Nazionale Romano spread out across a few different buildings or “smaller” museums: the Baths of Diocletian, the Palazzo Altempts, the Crypta Balbi, and the Palazzo Massimo (aka the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme). The National Museum of Rome is considered to house the world’s largest collection of Classical Greco-Roman artworks of different mediums. The Diocletian Baths were renovated/reconverted into an exhibition space in the early 20th century and it was not until later that the collections of the main museum were moved to the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, which gets its name from being in close vicinity with the Baths of Diocletian. Speaking of which, the Baths of Diocletian are known to be the largest public baths in Rome and ironically, their ruins somehow managed to maintain their beauty until today. Another section of the museums is the Crypta Balbi which was created after some archaeological excavations were made in the area. Walking through the location, you can still recognize the original locations of some of the buildings. The exhibit houses thousands of objects, some of which (e.g. glass, lead, ceramics) are well-preserved while others weren’t so lucky. And if you like ancient coins, then this is the place for you. Overall, the Crypta Balbi functions as an illustration of the progression and evolution of Roman society, commercial activity and urban cityscape from ancient times until modern times.

Van de ene Romeinse kunstverrassing naar de andere in TOOS&ART #kunst#art#beelden

restanten van de Thermen van Diocletianus

Waar was ik ook al weer gebleven voordat Jheronimus Bosch er tussendoor kwam? Oh ja, in Rome, de Eeuwige Stad. Daar waar altijd weer nieuwe kunstschatten zijn te ontdekken, al kom je er voor de tigste keer. Zo ook nu.

gerestaureerde hal in de thermen

Over mijn eerste bezoek aan de Musei Vaticani berichtte ik al. Maar een dag later was er nog zo’n eerste…

today I finally bought some rain boots (so cute!) and wandered with my umbrella for about three hours. I ended up ripping my tights and having a really tasty pomodoro & mozzarella panini, and found sooo many wonderful sights. I sat down at a little ristorante alone and ate by myself with no book or anything. it was kind of lovely!

I am hopelessly in love with this city and all it has to offer. I really wish it would just swallow me up whole. I am trying!