Rome has a new museum, the MAXXI National Museum of 21^st Century Art that is a great balance to the ancient art in the city. It is just north of Piazza del Popolo/Piazzale Flaminio, near our Flaminio apartment, about four bus/trolley stops.

The museum website lists the bus numbers, just take the first one that comes along through the north side of Piazzale Flaminio. When we asked the bus driver to tell us when to get off for the cross street for Via Guido Reni or the MAXXI Museum he told us “go to the end of the line, take a taxi”; he had no idea at all! Ah, the familiar “male answer syndrome" no matter if you don't know, you must have an answer. Fortunately and also familiarly in Rome, other passengers chimed in and told us straight. Here is the clue, watch for a stadium on the right and descend there.

We found the museum just the right size for us, an hour and we were done. We weren’t studying anything in particular only looking to appreciate some modern art and Rome’s investment in its modern art scene. The building is beautiful and interesting architecture. There were a number of really great exhibits and pieces. One artist, Gino diDominicis, dominated the museum, starting with an astounding 100 foot long prone skeleton, so after we had discovered his three themes executed in every combination and medium, we found ourselves seeking out other artists works and found a number of gems and, doubtless due to our unsophisticated tastes, some wastes of time and space.

I was affected by a beautifully stacked wall of old suitcases and trunks, pleasing to behold and approach  to discover that it represents the stacks of suitcases left by Jews as they were herded from trains to Nazi death camps.

The Space exhibit had some wonderful patterns such as the column built of traffic cones, a wall of sticks, like a giant, weathered wall of Jenga sticks. There was a large exhibition of 20^th century architecture with scale models and photos of dramatic 20^th century buildings. We walked into an exhibit that was a museum gallery as it would be experienced by someone the size of a mouse.

Our guests find themselves rushing around to see the “top ten” sights of Rome and it is hard to fault them for wanting to see the iconic sights that help form the foundation of our history and culture. But, Rome is also a living, vibrant city with a modern art culture worth exploring and MAXXI is a nice place to balance your appreciation of the art of Rome.