The Eternal City: 35 Local Secrets to Unlock the Magic of Rome

34. Palazzo Altemps: Where Gods Whisper

Part of the National Roman Museum network, Palazzo Altemps is easily missed—and that’s its power. Housed in a 15th-century palace, it contains some of the most exquisite ancient sculptures in Rome, including works that once belonged to aristocratic collectors. The art is sublime, but the setting elevates it: grand halls, frescoed ceilings, and whispering staircases. If the Vatican overwhelms, Altemps restores—intimate, elegant, and utterly human.