Palazzo Massimo & Diocletian’s Baths | Private Rome Tour
Discover the rich cultural legacy and way of life of the Ancient Romans on this fascinating private tour of three unique venues: Palazzo Massimo, Diocletian’s baths, and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
On this tour you will visit Palazzo Massimo, a Renaissance villa now home to the National Museum of Rome, which houses an extensive collection of world-famous marble and bronze antiquities. You will also visit the majestic ruins of the Baths of Diocletian, the largest imperial baths in ancient Rome.
Finally, you will also visit the astounding Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. Designed by Michelangelo, and built into the walls of the ancient bathhouse, this vast basilica embodies the layers of Rome with its fusion of ancient engineering, Renaissance architecture, and Christian spirituality, superimposed onto a pagan past.
- Discover the world and way of life of the Ancient Romans
- Visit the iconic Palazzo Massimo with its amazing statues and villas
- Explore the beautiful ruins of the Baths of Diocletian
- Learn about Roman hygiene and the engineering of the aqueducts
- Enter the vast interior of Michelangelo’s Basilica, an oasis of tranquility
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Your top-rated private guide will meet you at the entrance to the Palazzo Massimo, a magnificent Renaissance palace housing Rome’s impressive collection of classical art and artifacts.
As you step inside the world of Ancient Rome, admire famous 2000-year-old sculptures like The Boxer at Rest, the Discus Thrower, and the emotive statue of the Dying Niobid, the queen of Thebes depicted in a moment of writhing struggle.
Explore the opulent recreations of Roman villas, including the Villa Livia and the Villa Farnesia – admiring the vibrant frescoes and intricate mosaics that offer tantalizing glimpses into the daily life of a rich Roman family.
A short walk away are the Baths of Diocletian. Built between 298-306 AD during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, these were the largest and most magnificent imperial public baths in Ancient Rome. Designed to accommodate thousands of bathers at once, the complex included massive halls, pools, gyms, libraries, gardens, and even a stadium. The baths were constantly supplied with water from the Aqua Marcia aqueduct. The baths were important social hubs, but after the Fall of Rome, they fell into disuse, and disrepair, and were eventually looted of all their marble, or repurposed…
As you can see on entering the final venue. The Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri – Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs – was built into the entrance hall and frigidarium of the baths. Renaissance artist and architect extraordinaire, Michelangelo, was commissioned by Pope Pius IV to create the basilica in the ruins of the baths. Admire its vast, peaceful interior that evokes something of its past, the unique Meridian line – a celestial observatory, and its many artworks.
The tour ends outside the church, where you’ll be able to observe the overlapping layers of archaeology and architecture, and how these landmarks bear witness to the enduring legacy of ancient Rome.
- Private guide
- Skip-the-line tickets
- Palazzo Massimo
- Baths of Diocletian
- Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
- Tour does NOT include a guided visit to Palazzo Altemps or Crypta Balbi. Palazzo Altemps is included in the ticket and you may visit on their own afterwards. The Crypta Balbi, however, is closed for renovations and not accessible at the moment.
- The itinerary described above is a suggested order of the various experiences. These may vary according to your personal requests or preferred starting time.
- Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English.
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