I love Jimmy. I really do. But a girl who doesn’t care about sports can only take so much sports talk. Sometimes you have to get out of the house, away from the TV, and give yourself a good shake on a lazy Sunday. Which is where Centrale Montemartini comes in.
This is one of Rome’s best small museums.
“Escaping” to a museum is not meant to be some intellectual humble-brag. It really is an escape. No one seems to visit Cetrale Montemartini and that is a shame.
Located off Via Ostiense, it is not on the usual circuit for most of Rome’s visitors. (Which is probably why I got the resident’s price? I never get the resident price).
For those who live in Rome, Via Ostiense is a part of life. For those who visit Rome, it does not often come up. It does not have the charm of the historic center, nor the allure of Trastevere.
Centrale Montemartini is, however, well worth the trek off the beaten path.
Housed in the former Giovanni Montemartini Thermoelectric Center, Centrale Montemartini hosts a collection from the Musei Capitolini. The juxtaposition of ancient Roman sculptures against the industrial backdrop of Rome’s first public electrical plant is weirdly mesmerizing.
It is the perfect stop before or after lunch at La Casetta Rossa. It is located just across the bridge from the Garbatella metro stop, though it is also an easy walk from Testaccio or the Piramide metro station.
Just make sure to bring the 6.50 euro ticket fee in cash. I learned the hard way that they do not accept credit cards and had to hike to a bancomat to withdraw cash.
The docents and the students outnumber the visitors, so it is the perfect break from Rome’s busier attractions.
Or, you know, from sports.
Want to book your tickets in advance? You should not have any issues buying tickets at the door, but you can also find them on Tiqets.
Centrale Montemartini
Via Ostiense, 106,
00154 Roma, Italy
Tues-Sun 9:00 – 18:30
Closed Mondays
Note that this post includes an affiliate link to Tiqets which is included for convenience but there are other ways of purchasing tickets, such as upon arrival. Purchases made via the link may result in a commission for Natalie but you are under no obligation to buy this way.
Great blog. Thank you so much for the off the beaten path tip(s). Crowds get to me after awhile and I love the look of this place. It’s my first time in Rome and I’m going to plunder your blog! Ciao!
Thanks, Bill! I also get tired of the crowds, so I try to find alternatives. I hope you are having a fantastic Roman adventure!
Centrale Montemartini is indeed cool, thanks for the recommendation… it would be hard to call this better than when the installation was still on Capitolini hill but it is good in a different way, let’s leave it at that.
BTW there’s a pretty good bar No-We-No from the museum “Porto Fluviale” on
Via del Porto Fluviale, 22 , check it out.
cheers, P
Thanks so much for the insight, Pavel! I haven’t tried the bar, but I still love the collection here. I think it is the contrast that makes it so interesting, while of course the capitoline’s collection remains incomparable.
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