Centrale Montemartini: Roman Art in a Power Station
Centrale Montemartini is a museum in Rome's Ostiense district set inside the city's first public electricity plant, where marble gods and emperors from the Capitoline collection stand against towering black diesel engines and turbines. It is world-class ancient art with almost none of the crowds.
Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany · CC BY-SA 2.0In Hidden Gems in Rome · Ostiense · Last updated 2 June 2026
- A 1912 thermoelectric power station turned into one of Rome's most original museums
- Classical sculpture from the Capitoline Museums staged against industrial machinery
- The Machine Room and Boiler Room, where statues meet engines and switchboards
- Quiet galleries in the Ostiense district, a short walk from Garbatella metro
What is Centrale Montemartini
Centrale Montemartini was Rome's first public electricity plant, opened in 1912 and named after the politician Giovanni Montemartini. When it was decommissioned it became an exhibition space, and what began as a temporary show of overflow sculpture from the Capitoline Museums became a permanent museum.
It is now a branch of the Capitoline Museums, so the collection is first rate. The difference is the setting. Instead of grand marble halls, the statues stand in the old engine and boiler rooms, lit against diesel turbines, pistons and control panels. The contrast between serene classical bodies and heavy black machinery is the whole point, and it is unforgettable.
What to see inside
The two great spaces are the Sala Macchine, the Machine Room, and the Sala Caldaie, the Boiler Room. Here Roman gods, portrait busts and reliefs are arranged in front of the surviving industrial equipment, much of it preserved in place.
Look for the sculptures recovered from the horti, the great pleasure gardens of ancient Rome, along with mosaics, a vast pedimental group and a series of imperial portraits. Because the museum is off the central trail, you can often stand alone in front of works that would be three deep in crowds elsewhere.
Why visit Centrale Montemartini
Most visitors to Rome never leave the historic centre, so Ostiense and its post-industrial landmarks stay quiet. That is good news. You get a serious antiquities collection, a striking building and room to breathe, all for a modest ticket.
Allow about ninety minutes. Pair it with a wander around Ostiense, a district known for street art and the Pyramid of Cestius nearby.
Know before you go
- Buy tickets at the door or online, queues are rare here.
- The lighting is dramatic and low, so a steady hand helps for photos.
- Combine with the Ostiense street art walk and the Pyramid of Cestius.
Where Centrale Montemartini is
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Centrale Montemartini: frequently asked questions
What is Centrale Montemartini?
It is a museum in Rome's Ostiense district, set in the city's first public electricity plant from 1912. It displays classical sculpture from the Capitoline collection against the old power-station machinery.
How much are Centrale Montemartini tickets?
It charges a standard museum entry fee as a branch of the Capitoline Museums. You can buy at the door, where queues are uncommon, or online in advance.
What are the opening hours?
It generally opens Tuesday to Sunday from about 09:00 to 19:00 and closes on Mondays. Hours can change for holidays, so confirm on the official Capitoline Museums site before visiting.
How do you get to Centrale Montemartini?
Take metro line B to Garbatella and walk about five minutes, or take a bus along Via Ostiense. It sits at Via Ostiense 106 in the Ostiense district.
Is Centrale Montemartini worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you like both ancient art and unusual settings. The staging of marble statues against industrial engines is unique in Rome, and the galleries are far quieter than the central museums.
More hidden gems in Rome
Sources and further reading: Wikipedia: Centrale Montemartini.