Centrale Montemartini

About the museum

The Centrale Montemartini is an industrial archaeology building: built in 1912, it was the first public power station in Rome for producing electricity. After its decommissioning it was converted into a museum and in 1997 opened to the public as a branch of the Musei Capitolini.

Inside, the ancient sculptures, mosaics and finds of the Roman period are displayed alongside the original machinery of the power station, which recalls the building's first function. The route thus allows visitors to cross two eras: modern and industrial Rome, told through the machinery, and ancient Rome, illustrated by finds of exceptional quality, presented where possible according to their context of provenance.

The visit starts with the oldest works, from the Republican age, continues among the great sculptural groups of the temples and public buildings of the monumental centre, and ends with the sculptures and mosaics that decorated the rich private residences. A room on the ground floor also houses three carriages of Pius IX's train, dating from 1858.

Highlights

• Roman sculptures and mosaics from the Musei Capitolini
• Sala Macchine with the original machinery of the power station
• Sala Caldaie (Boiler Room)
• Three carriages of Pius IX's train (1858)
• Contrast between classical and industrial archaeology

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente: sculture, mosaici e macchine della centrale – The route brings together Roman sculptures and mosaics from the Musei Capitolini and places them among the original machinery of the power station, from the Sala Colonne to the Sala Macchine and the Sala Caldaie.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Roma Capitale – Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali

Visitors per year

approx. 75,020

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month: free admission for everyone.

From February 2026 admission is free for residents of Rome and the Metropolitan City, on showing an identity card at the cash desk. Also free for holders of the MIC card (€5 per year) and for other categories provided for by the regulations (including journalists, ICOM members and licensed tourist guides). With online booking or through the call centre 060608 an advance sales fee of €1 is paid; pre-purchased tickets are not refundable or changeable. For non-residents the ticket is reduced by 50% on Wednesdays in the last two hours of opening. The Roma Pass is also valid.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Protected pedestrian route free of barriers from the entrance at via Ostiense 106 to the museum. All the exhibition spaces are accessible; the Sala Macchine and the Sala Caldaie are served by a lift with voice announcement of floors and Braille buttons. A wheelchair is available on request. For blind visitors there is a LOGES tactile route, panels and tactile drawings with Braille captions, and audio descriptions via the museum's app. The app also offers videos in Italian Sign Language (LIS). In the inner courtyard a car park is reserved for vehicles with disabled badges; the barrier is opened via the intercom or on 06 6710 5431. Tactile visits with specialised operators on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The app features video stories for children with simplified content and illustrations. The exhibition spaces are fully accessible with pushchairs; there is a family toilet with child-sized fittings and a changing table.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Bookshop with museum publications and postcards. Free self-service cloakroom, included in the ticket.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit