Richard Meier's new museum inaugurated

A white block-like museum designed by US architect Richard Meier opened on the embankment of the River Tiber on the city's birthday, April 21. The main purpose of this museum is to house a sacrificial altar which was built in 9 B.C. to celebrate the victories of Rome's first emperor, Augustus. The materials are the mixture of glass, concrete and Roman local travertine stone, and it is featured by a huge glass curtain wall of 13.5 meters high and 50 meters long. It is designed for the altar to be seen from the outside from three sides, and has temporary exhibition spaces, an auditorium, and office areas as well. This museum will bring a breath of fresh air into Rome as the first modern architecture in this historical area.