Ara Pacis Monument
Ancient Roman altar monument in Rome, fine reliefs
A first‑century BCE Roman altar to Pax now displayed in a modern museum on Rome's Lungotevere. Visitors study its carved reliefs and visit alongside nearby Augustan sites and riverside walks.
Ara Pacis at a Glance#
Address: Lungotevere in Augusta, 1, 00186 Rome, Italy
Website: http://www.romamuseiincomune.it/en/museums/ara-pacis
Hours: Tue-Sun 9:30am-7:30pm, closed Mondays
About Ara Pacis#
The Ara Pacis (Altar of Peace) is an Augustan monument in Rome originally erected in the late first century BCE to honor peace under Emperor Augustus. The monument is noted for its finely carved marble reliefs depicting ritual processions, mythological figures and allegorical scenes.
The surviving sculpted enclosure and altar are displayed today under the Museo dell’Ara Pacis, a purpose-built museum on the Lungotevere designed to protect the monument and present interpretive material. The friezes and panels are studied for their stylistic and political significance in Augustan Rome.
Commissioned by the Roman Senate and constructed between about 13 and 9 BCE, the altar was dedicated in 9 BCE as part of Augustan commemoration of his achievements. The monument has been the subject of archaeological recovery and restoration since its rediscovery.
It lies beside the Tiber in central Rome near the Mausoleum of Augustus and is accessible from the nearby historic centre and major visitor routes.
- Dates: The altar was built between 13 and 9 BCE and was dedicated in 9 BCE to commemorate peace under Emperor Augustus.
What to See#
- The altar: The Ara Pacis itself is the marble altar and sculpted enclosure featuring processional friezes and allegorical reliefs from the Augustan period.
- Museum building: The modern Museo dell’Ara Pacis houses the monument under controlled conditions and was designed by architect Richard Meier; it provides museum displays and visitor access.
How to Get to Ara Pacis#
A short walk from Piazza del Popolo and the Flaminio metro (Line A) or from the Spanish Steps area. Urban buses also serve the nearby Lungotevere.
Tips for Visiting Ara Pacis#
- Combine the Ara Pacis visit with a walk along the Via dei Fori Imperiali to see Rome's layered urban archaeology.
- Buy timed-entry tickets to avoid queues-especially in high season.
- The museum's climate control protects the marble-brief stops outside offer better light for photos of the reliefs.
Best Time to Visit Ara Pacis#
Best visited in spring or autumn to combine with other central Rome sites and avoid the worst of summer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Ara Pacis#
Ara Pacis's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (696 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 7° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.4h |
| February | Good | 4° - 13° | 8° | 66 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Very Good | 6° - 16° | 11° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 57 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.2h |
| May | Excellent | 12° - 23° | 18° | 40 mm | some cloud | 68% | 2.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.4h |
| June | Ideal | 16° - 27° | 22° | 29 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 15.0h |
| July | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 24° | 15 mm | clear | 55% | 2.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.7h |
| August | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 25° | 33 mm | clear | 55% | 2.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Excellent | 16° - 27° | 21° | 64 mm | mostly sunny | 64% | 1.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 87 mm | some cloud | 73% | 1.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 94 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| December | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 8° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
