New initiative to foster shared promotion of Rome’s archaeological heritage.
Italy’s culture ministry has announced a new two-year partnership between the Colosseum Archaeological Park and the National Roman Museum, with effect from March 2026.
The collaboration introduces a reciprocal ticketing discount designed to foster the shared promotion of Rome’s archaeological heritage.
The Colosseum Archaeological Park comprises the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Domus Aurea, while the National Roman Museum (MNR) network includes Palazzo Altemps, the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Massimo and Crypta Balbi (the latter of which is temporarily closed).
How it works
Under the terms of the agreement, visitors holding a valid ticket for the National Roman Museum are entitled to purchase the ‘Amici PArCo’ reduced ticket for the Parco archeologico del Colosseo at a cost of €14.
Conversely, those who have visited the Colosseum Archaeological Park will be eligible to purchase the MNR ‘Musei in Rete’ ticket for a reduced fee of €10.
Simone Quilici, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, characterised the initiative as a cornerstone of a new policy aimed at strengthening Rome’s museum network.
By integrating institutions that house artefacts from the Palatine, the Forum and the Domus Aurea, the programme seeks to distribute tourist traffic more equitably across the city’s state museums.
The National Roman Museum joins existing partners, including the Jewish Museum of Rome and Villa Farnesina, in this expanding cultural circuit.
MNR director Federica Rinaldi emphasised that the agreement represents a modern, integrated vision of heritage management.
She noted that the initiative encourages a more comprehensive visitor experience by linking grand outdoor monumental complexes with the museum collections that provide their historical context.
According to Rinaldi, this unified narrative of Roman civilization – spanning from symbols of public power to the artefacts of daily social and artistic life – is essential for making culture more accessible and sustainable for Rome residents, historians and tourists.
Opening times
The announcement also coincides with updated visiting hours for both institutions.
Starting 1 March, the National Roman Museum will advance its opening time to 09.00, remaining open Tuesday through Sunday until 19.00.
The Colosseum Archaeological Park will maintain its standard opening of 08.00 for the Colosseum and 09.00 for the Forum-Palatine and the Domus Aurea.
Seasonal closing times for the Park will shift throughout the year, with the site closing at 17.30 in March and extending to 19.15 from late March through September.
