This bronze statue of Hercules is very rare. Most bronze statues were melted. This statue was hit by lightning. Romans considered that bad luck so they buried the statue. Centuries later a farmer accidentally dug it up. If it hadn't been for the lightning strike, the statue would have been lost.

This big basin is made of porphyry. Porphyry is now an extinct marble. Because of the purple color, it was exclusive to kings and the Papacy. It is also an extremely hard material. They don't know quite what the purpose of this was. It could have been a base for a fountain.

The mosaic floor was beautiful.

A close-up of part of the floor.

This bust of Zeus of Otricoli is considered one of the more precious object in the room.

Another floor mosaic.

The coat of arms of Pope Leo XIII.

The Hall of Maps.

One of the maps. This one is of Rome.

A close-up of the ceiling.