Exhibitions in Rome this weekend: Ara Pacis in color, Hokusai at

Weekend highlights

Rome presents a weekend full of exhibitions: an immersive project that restores the colors of the Ara Pacis, a major Hokusai retrospective at Palazzo Bonaparte, plus photographic and contemporary group shows. Below is a practical guide to the main exhibitions with dates and visiting tips.

Main exhibitions

• "L’Ara si rivela" – Museo dell'Ara Pacis

  From March 27: a multimedia route reconstructing the history of the Augustan monument using images, audio and color reconstructions based on studies of ancient pigments. The visit includes audio tracks in Italian and English and themed stops on restoration and reception.

• Hokusai – Palazzo Bonaparte

  March 27 to June 29: more than two hundred works tracing the artist’s production, from traditional prints to his most innovative series. The show also highlights Hokusai’s influence on Western art.

• "Ecce Homo" by Antonello da Messina – Palazzo della Minerva

  On display from March 27 to April 7: a recently acquired painting presented in a special preview, notable for its historical and technical importance.

• "À Rome la nuit" – Museo di Roma in Trastevere

  Until September 6, 2026: 68 color photographs documenting Rome’s nightlife between the 1970s and 1990s, captured in streets, squares and cafés with a documentary and poetic eye.

• "Metamorphoses. The art that transforms" – Museo Nazionale Romano (Baths of Diocletian)

  A solo show by Wu Jian’an blending materials and techniques—from Murano glass to large contemporary works that reinterpret Chinese artistic traditions.

• "Dante in artists' books" – Biblioteca Vallicelliana

  Until April 22: thirty artists’ books that offer visual and conceptual readings of Dante’s themes, curated for Dante commemorations.

• "Standing tall: protecting the craft of freedom" – Inpgi - Murialdi Foundation

  Until May 29: over 60 items including photographs, memorabilia and newspaper pages recounting Italian journalism from the 1960s to the 2000s.

• Daniele Radini Tedeschi – "Vapore sul vetro" – Il Basso

  March 26 to June 26: photographic and painterly works exploring suspended, intimate scenes—fogged windows and fleeting moments of everyday life.

• "Under a lucky star" – Casina delle Civette, Villa Torlonia

  March 27 to June 27: exhibition on Paolo Paschetto’s proposals for the emblem of the Italian Republic, featuring archival documents and original materials.

Practical tips for visitors

• Check official opening hours for each venue before you go: museums may have weekly closures or reduced hours.
• Buy tickets online when available to avoid queues, especially for high-demand shows like Hokusai and multimedia routes at the Ara Pacis.
• Use audioguides or headphone-based routes when offered to deepen your understanding of artworks and their context.
• For small or timed-entry exhibitions, choose less crowded time slots (early morning or late afternoon).

This roundup highlights the main openings and displays in the city. For a custom itinerary—classical, photography, or contemporary—indicate your preferences and we'll suggest a tailored route.