Temple of Minerva
Near Station Termini, (on Giolitti Street) the Temple of Minerva Medica is a three storey brick ruin with 10 sides. Although a ruin, the graceful arches indicte what a stunning building this must have been. There was no sign of explanation or information but later research shows :
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/Minerva_Medica/home.html
Nymphaeum (2): on the Esquiline, between the via Labicana and the Aurelian wall, just inside the line of the Anio vetus. There is no mention of this structure in ancient literature or inscriptions, but it is without doubt a monumental nymphaeum. The existing ruins consist of a decagonal hall of opus latericium, which was covered with a domed roof until part of it fell in in 1828, surrounded on three sides with other chambers added at a later date. In the interior of the hall are nine niches, besides the entrance; and above these are ten corresponding round-arched windows. The diameter of the hall is about 24 metres, and the height was 33. It is very important from the structural point of view, and especially for the meridian ribs in the dome. The outside walls were covered with marble and the interior richly decorated in a similar manner. Since the seventeenth century the nymphaeum has frequently been called Templum Minervae Medicae (q.v.), on account of the erroneous impression that the Giustiniani Athene had been found in its ruins (HJ 360; LS III.158‑161). It is now often attributed to the Horti Liciniani, but without adequate reason.
Palazzo Massimo
Palazzo Massimo has a very interesting collection of early Roman statues, frescoes. Bronzes of a Prince and a Boxer are impressive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_of_Quirinal
'Sleeping hermaphrodite' is strange (copy of a second Century BC). For me, the most stunning object is the Portonaccio Sarcophagus depicting a battle with barbarians.
Another highlight was the fresco of trees, plants and flowers from the Villa Of the Empress Livia (wife of Augustus).
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The fine print
Date of travel : March 2009
Eating was part of the treat See my friend Helen's restaurant reviews on Virginiae, Vecchio Locanda, Mattricianello, Trattoria de Gli Amici.