The Altar of Peace Museum is the first modern structure built in historic Rome since 1930.
In 9 BC, this altar was built to commemorate the great peace after the Gallic and Spanish campaigns. The Ara consists of a rectangular enclosure inside of which is found the actual altar. The most significant scene in the mostly restored bas-relief is the one depicting Augustus, Agrippa, Julius, and Tiberius.
The original altar was probably destroyed after Rome fell to the Barbarians. However, parts were found in excavations and other parts were found in museums in Florence, Rome and Paris. Mussolini had the altar reconstructed in the 1930's. It was then installed in a buidling designed by Vittorio Ballio Morpugo (demolished in 2001). Along the base of the wall of Morpugo's building, that runs along the Via di Ripetta, is a bronze reproduction of Augustus' testimonial plaque, called by historians the "Res Gestae" (Deeds accomplished). This wall was incorporated into the new museum by Mr. Meier.
Ara Pacis Museum
Piazza Augusto Imperatore
Rome (RM)
Lazio
Architect Richard Meier
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