Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini
Multimedia route through the basements of Palazzo Valentini, next to the Colonna Traiana (Trajan's Column), among two Roman houses (domus), baths and mosaics reconstructed with projections.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Palazzo Valentini overlooks the Forum of Trajan. Work began in 1585 for Cardinal Michele Bonelli; in 1752 Cardinal Giuseppe Spinelli bought it and had the piano nobile (main floor) frescoed by a team led by Stefano Pozzi. The current name dates from 1827, when the banker Vincenzo Valentini acquired it. Today the palace belongs to the Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale (Metropolitan City of Rome Capital) and houses the Prefecture.
In the basements, excavations since 2005 have brought to light the remains of two domus: one dates to around AD 125, at the beginning of the Hadrianic period, the other to the end of the 2nd century, around AD 180. The layout visible today results from a renovation in the decades between AD 320 and 350, to which the surviving floors are due.
The route covers three areas: the reception rooms where the owner received his guests, the baths inside one of the houses, where the wood-fired heating system is still recognisable, and the remains of a public building, probably a temple dedicated by Hadrian to Trajan and Plotina. Mosaics, painted walls and polychrome marble floors are complemented by ceramics, amphorae, coins and glass. Since 2007 an immersive visit with projections has reconstructed the original buildings; the Italian narration is by Piero Angela. The last room is in a bunker built during the Second World War.
Highlights
- Two Roman houses with mosaics and painted walls
- Triclinium mosaic
- Baths with a wood-fired heating system
- Remains of a temple dedicated by Hadrian to Trajan and Plotina
- Multimedia reconstructions with narration by Piero Angela
- Glass floor above the excavations
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso nelle Domus Romane – Immersive visit among the remains of two wealthy Roman houses and baths, with multimedia reconstructions and a transparent floor above the excavations.
- Founded
- 2007
- Operated by
- Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale
- Visitors per year
- approx. 54,347
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9children aged 6 to 17, employees of Poste Italiane and the State Police, over-65s living in the Rome metropolitan area, and holders of agreements |
| Children & teens | €9free up to age 5 · Free under 6 (an advance sales ticket is still required); reduced rate for ages 6 to 17. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for visitors with disabilities and one companion; an advance sales ticket is still required. |
| Groups | €6 per personRate for school groups from primary to upper secondary school; groups book via the Contact Center. |
| Open ticket (date and time to be booked later) | €16Reservation required, subject to availability. |
Advance sales fee of €1.50 per ticket. Teachers accompanying school classes enter free of charge.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The route is spread over several levels. Visitors with mobility difficulties are invited to book the visit and the assistance service in advance via the Contact Center.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Bookshop with books on the site and on Roman history, children's titles and local crafts.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN, FR, DE, ES) |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The visit lasts about one hour; the route combined with the Colonna Traiana takes about one and a half hours. Audio guide via headphones in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish; part of the route is also available in Japanese and Russian. Large backpacks and bags and animals of any size are not admitted. It is advisable to book the day before; groups book via the Contact Center (domusroma@civita.art or +39 06 8715 3153, Monday to Saturday 9:30–17:30). |
