The Capitoline Museums

The World’s Oldest Public Museums
Discover the Capitoline Museums, where some of the greatest masterpieces of ancient Rome meet the extraordinary Renaissance vision of Michelangelo.
Located on the magnificent Piazza del Campidoglio, one of Rome’s most beautiful squares, the Capitoline Museums occupy the historic Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo, two buildings designed as part of Michelangelo’s celebrated Renaissance transformation of the Capitoline Hill.
The story of the museums begins in 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated a group of important ancient bronze sculptures to the people of Rome. This gesture marked the beginning of one of the world’s oldest public art collections. Over the centuries, the collection grew into an extraordinary panorama of Roman sculpture, painting, and archaeology.
Among its most famous treasures is the monumental equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, one of the very few surviving bronze equestrian statues from antiquity. The museum also preserves an extraordinary collection of ancient sculptures, including the iconic Capitoline Venus and the famous Dying Gaul.
Inside the museums, ancient Rome comes vividly to life through portraits of emperors, gods, heroes, and ordinary citizens, offering a fascinating insight into the culture, beliefs, and daily life of the Roman world.
The experience continues beneath the square through the Tabularium, the ancient archive building of Rome, where archaeological remains and spectacular views create a unique connection between the museum and the ancient city. From the panoramic terrace, you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views over the Roman Forum and the heart of Ancient Rome.
The Capitoline Museums are more than a collection of ancient masterpieces—they are a journey through Rome’s history, from the Republic and Empire to the Renaissance and the city of today.