The Maxxi Museum

If you think Rome is all about ancient history, it’s time to think again. The Italian capital is known as the Eternal City in part because it has remained relevant throughout millennia. As the world evolves, so does Rome - as showcased by its love for new and exciting forms of art. Modern and contemporary art and architecture certainly have a place in Rome, in the world-renowned MAXXI Museum. Officially called the Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo (National Museum of the 21st century arts), the MAXXI Museum Rome is one of its kind. Not only does it include key pieces in its collection, but the building itself is also a piece of art.

Thanks to its innovative design, MAXXI is beloved by architects and aficionados throughout the world, not unlike Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum. MAXXI is actually divided into two museums: one dedicated to contemporary art, and the other to architecture. The beautiful outdoor spaces between both areas are dedicated to temporary exhibits of larger pieces, including sculptures and other installations.

The MAXXI Museum Architecture Wonder

For millennia, Rome was at the forefront of innovation in regards to architectural elements. Architects come from all over the world to witness the history of buildings within the ruins and old churches of the Eternal City. So, when it was time to give the 20th and 21st century arts a new home, it was clear tradition had to be upheld!

Italy’s Ministry for Cultural Heritage created a two-part international design competition to find the perfect design for the grand project dedicated to modern-day art and architecture. Award-winning British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid won the competition in 1998, beating 278 candidates from everywhere in the world. 12 years passed between the competition and completion, and the museum opened in 2010. Since then, the museum has won several awards for its innovative and daring project, whose construction was also possible through the use of a special quality of concrete to build curved walls without joints, created by an Italian company of the Italcementi Group. 

The design that captured the hearts of the competition’s judges was one of curves and flowing movements. The complex’s structure integrated the old and the new, also using parts of the onsite former military barracks (Caserma Montello), into a wondrous new design. The flow of water is the key element of MAXXI's design: the curved walls in the galleries represent major streams, while the interconnections and bridges serve as minor streams. The museum architecture represents the Eternal City, with plenty of exterior spaces for visitors to enjoy the existing surroundings.

MAXXI is built in strong and versatile materials: steel, concrete walls, glass roof. It's also made with the idea of having no redundant spaces, turning each area into a unique place where surprises await on every (curved) corner. Ever-present movement is encouraged, particularly on the pedestrian walkway passing through the building's contours. 

Rome has long been a source of inspiration for architecture lovers and connoisseurs, and the city keeps providing new and exciting examples. It’s quite an experience to witness the constructions of ancient and imperial Rome on the same trip as the wholly modern MAXXI. A real voyage through time!

What You’ll Find at MAXXI Museum

While the focus of MAXXI is certainly art and architecture, it also serves as an all-encompassing cultural space. Visitors can mix seeing the permanent collection or temporary exhibits with any number of activities available on the museum's calendar of events. Depending on the day, you may find conferences, summer camps, and even outdoor yoga classes. The space was created to go beyond the traditional constraints of museums for a wholly new and creative experience.

As mentioned above, the complex actually comprises two museums: MAXXI Arte and MAXXI Architecture. They both feature a permanent exhibition of visual art and temporary exhibitions, with representation of today’s Italian art and from the rest of the world.

A few highlights of the permanent collection include:
• Large scale installations by Elisabetta Benassi, Mircea Cantor and Ugo Rondinone.
• Pieces of art, architecture and photography from the 1960s until present day, with works by great artists, such as William Kentridge and Gilbert & George.
• Unforgettable, one-of-a-kind pieces!

MAXXI partnered with the Google Art Project for the Gigapixel, a platform showcasing 55 works from the museum gallery online in ultra-high 7 gigapixel definition. It gives visitors monumental detail of Alighiero Boetti’s Mappa!

How to get to the Maxxi Museum Rome?

The Maxxi Museum is located in the Flaminio district, and below you’ll find the easiest ways to get there through public transportation.
• Metro / Tram. Head to the stop Flaminio (Line A) and take the tram no. 2 once you’re there. Get down at the Apollodoro stop.
• Bus. You can take the no. 53 and get down at the De Coubertin/Palazzetto dello sport stop, the 280 and get down at the Mancini terminal, or stop at Reni/Flaminia on bus 910.
• Museum Express. If you’re museum hopping on the Hop on Hop Off bus, get down at the MAXXI terminal.

Essential Maxxi Museum Info

• Address. Via Guido Reni, 4a, Flaminio district. 
• Schedules. Tuesdays to Sundays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Keep in mind that the museum is closed on Mondays, plus on May 1st and December 25. Visitors can purchase tickets up to 1 hour before the museum closes.
• MAXXI Museum tickets. Keep in mind that, if you buy your ticket online, you’ll be required to pay €1.50 in addition to the prices below.
• Full price is €12.
• Reduced price of €9 for people between 14 and 25 years of age, groups of 15 or more, journalists with a valid ID, people with an entrance ticket to the Jewish Museum of Rome, people holding entrance tickets to the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art. You can also enter for €9 if you present a valid ID badge or membership card for a number of Italian art and architecture academies and associations. The list of alla cademies and associations is available of the MAXXI's website.  
• Reduced price of €6 when presenting the Feltrinelli card.
• €5 for high school and university students from either Italy or the European Union, on Wednesdays from 2 pm (presenting ID cards).
• €9 for all members of a family of two adults and at least one child over 14 (under 14, they enter for free).
• FREE entry for children under 14, disabled persons requiring an assistant, EU tour guides, accredited journalists, people on their birthday (presenting ID) and more, which you can check at length on the MAXXI website.
• All visitors can see the permanent collection for free from Tuesday to Friday, plus the first Sunday of every month.