The Capitoline Museums: the Oldest Public Museum in the World

Perched atop the Capitoline Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome, the Capitoline Museums are not only among the city’s most important cultural landmarks but also hold a unique distinction: they are considered the oldest public museum in the world. Their foundation dates back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated to the people of Rome a collection of bronze statues — including the famous Capitoline Wolf — marking the beginning of an extraordinary collection that would grow over the centuries into an invaluable artistic heritage.

History and Architecture

The museum complex consists of three buildings overlooking the magnificent Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti: the Palazzo dei Conservatori, the Palazzo Nuovo, and the Palazzo Senatorio. The two main palaces, the Conservatori and the Nuovo, are connected by an underground gallery passing beneath the square, which includes the ancient Tabularium — offering breathtaking views of the Roman Forum. The current museum layout, with its evocative subterranean route, has been designed to provide a coherent and engaging experience for visitors.

The Collections: Art and the History of Rome

The collections of the Capitoline Museums are entirely dedicated to the history of Rome, from its legendary origins to the modern era. Among the masterpieces not to be missed:

• The Capitoline Wolf: the quintessential symbol of Rome, this bronze sculpture depicts the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. It is housed in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, and its precise dating remains a subject of scholarly debate.
• The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius: one of the few surviving ancient bronze statues, the original is preserved inside the Palazzo dei Conservatori, while a faithful replica stands in the center of the piazza.
• The Dying Gaul: a masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture, this marble copy of a Greek bronze conveys the noble dignity of a fallen Gallic warrior. It is displayed in the Palazzo Nuovo.
• The Capitoline Venus: one of the most famous ancient representations of the goddess Venus, also housed in the Palazzo Nuovo.
• The Head of Constantine: an enormous fragment from a colossal statue of Emperor Constantine, testifying to the grandeur of imperial sculpture.
• The Capitoline Picture Gallery: home to important works by great Italian masters such as Caravaggio’s Saint John the Baptist, as well as paintings by Guido Reni and Titian.

Visitor Information

• Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1 – 00186 Rome, Italy
• Contact:
  • Tel: +39 060608 (daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)

Opening Hours:

• Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Last admission: one hour before closing.

Tickets:

• Full price: €15.00 (subject to variation depending on temporary exhibitions)
• Reduced: €13.00 (for EU citizens aged 18–25 and other eligible categories)
• Free entry: for visitors under 18, Rome residents (with reduced rates), and on the first Sunday of every month.

How to Get There:

• Metro: Line B, stop “Colosseo” (15-minute walk) or Line A, stop “Barberini” (20-minute walk).
• Bus: several lines stop at Piazza Venezia, just 5 minutes away on foot.

The Capitoline Museums are a must-see destination for anyone visiting Rome — a place where art, history, and identity converge to tell the story of the Eternal City itself.

Cover photo credits: Peter ter Horst, Google Maps