A Guide To Museo delle Mura, Rome

What You Need To Know About The Aurelian Walls

What is Museo delle Mura?

The name literally means Museum of the Walls, and that’s exactly what it is. Located on the southern edge of the city, the museum gives visitors a close-up look at the impressive defensive walls built in the 3rd century AD to protect Rome from invasion.

Inside, you’ll find displays that walk you through the history of the walls, how they were constructed, and how they’ve changed over the centuries. There are models, photos, and old drawings – all neatly laid out in rooms that still echo with the sounds of ancient Rome (if you use your imagination, of course!).

Why visit?

Honestly, the best part is the walk along the walls themselves. Yes, you can actually stroll along a section of the Aurelian Walls and take in a unique perspective of Rome – high above the traffic, with views that stretch out towards the Appian Way. It’s peaceful, slightly surreal, and totally free from the chaos of the city centre.

Plus, the Porta San Sebastiano is the largest and best-preserved gate in the entire circuit of the Aurelian Walls. Walking through it feels like stepping back in time.

From the Museum, it is possible to access a long stretch, approximately 350 meters, of the patrol path along the walls, which appears as a covered gallery interspersed with ten towers, ending at the top with an uncovered walkway sheltered by battlements. 

Along the path, the walls from the Honorius era (early 5th century AD) are preserved, with arrow slits within niches, and large arches open on the opposite side towards the city, in addition to staircases inside some towers that were used to access the now non-existent upper manoeuvring chambers. - Museo delle Mura

Information

Address: Via di Porta San Sebastiano,18 - 00179 Roma 

Opening hours: From Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 - 16.00 

Last admission an hour before closing time. 

Closed: Monday, 1 May, 25 December. 

Last admission one hour before closing time.

Final thoughts

Museo delle Mura is a brilliant little detour if you fancy something historic, peaceful, and totally different from the usual tourist trail. Whether you’re a history buff, a fan of Roman architecture, or just someone looking to escape the crowds for a bit – give this one a go.

It’s a gentle reminder that Rome isn’t just about Colosseums and cathedrals – sometimes, it’s the quiet places that leave the biggest impression.

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