Museo dell'Ara Pacis - Interior
Back of Grand Hall
When originally consturcted on the Campus Martius, this front of the Ara Pacis faced approximately east and was therefore flooded by daylight in the morning. As reconstructed in 1938, this front now faces north and is almost never lit by direct sunlight. Nevertheless, the skylights and spacious windows provide generous light. This, along with the enclosed character of the space, bench, and perhaps the most beautiful wall of the entire museum, provide a nearly ideal space for contemplation and class discussion.
In the back of the Grand Hall, seen here, the floor is at the same level as the Ara Pacis, with no steps leading up to the doorway. This corresponds to the original ground level of the Ara Pacis on its eastern approach. Stairs were required on the opposite ceremonial front because the ground fell away in that direction.
The back of the Grand Hall, seen here, corresponds to the area that would, in ancient Rome, have been immediately to the east of the Ara Pacis, next to the Via Flaminia (now the Via del Corso). This was the main north-south avenue on which the Ara Pacis fronted and therefore provided the main public view of the altar. It is therefore misleading to refer to this facade as "the back".
Unlike the 1938 paviilion, the new 2006 museum does not provide an exterior entrance to this original east front, reinforcing this misconception. The sacrifical altar within does have a front and back, but the enclosing precinct wall of the Ara Pacis has two equal, opposite, similarly designed fronts.
TO ZOOM IN ON THE LARGE IMAGES, USE THE BUTTONS AT TOP-LEFT.
Tips for using this website
Public avenue front of the Ara Pacis, the original east front. At the left, in direct sunlight, is the original south side with Augustus. photo Oct. 2008
|
Public avenue front. At the right is a view down the narrow passageway between the Ara Paics and the west side of the museum. photo Oct. 2008
|
Looking north over top of wall at back of grand hall; skylights face north. Showing ducts for air control and lights for illuminating Ara Pacis, especially at night. photo Oct. 2008
|
The most elegant, refined wall in the museum, surfaced with smooth, fine beige travertine; a contemplative space. photo July 2008 |
Same bench as in photo at left, regularly used for classes. photo Oct. 2008
|
Same bench from ramp behind. July 2008
|
Back of the grand hall. Looking east to the Mausoleo di Augusto; the Via di Ripetta below. The glass wall provides visual transparency, while maintaining remarkable sound and temperature isolation from the outside. photo July 2008
|
Back of grand hall; looking east toward the Mausoleo di Augusto. photo July 2008
|
Back of the grand hall. Looking west to traffic and trees on the Lungotevere in Augusto, toward the Tiber River. The tempered glass panes are photo Oct. 2008
|