Capitoline Museums
Musei Capitolini
One of the world's oldest public museums, housing the original she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus and the original equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Its windows overlook the Roman Forum.
The Capitoline Museums began in 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of bronze statues to the people of Rome. They are considered among the world's earliest public museums. The museums occupy the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo on either side of the Capitoline Square, which was designed by Michelangelo. Must-see works include the bronze she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, the original equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the “Dying Gaul,” the “Capitoline Venus,” and Caravaggio's “The Fortune Teller.” An underground passage connecting the two buildings leads to the Tabularium, the ancient Roman archive. Its windows face the Roman Forum, making it one of the best spots to photograph the whole Forum. From Piazza Venezia, climb the gentle ramps and steps designed by Michelangelo to reach the museums.
Opening hours
09:30–19:30 (last entry 18:30)
Nearby sights
- Altare della Patria (Vittoriano)
- Roman Forum / Palatine Hill
- Theatre of Marcellus
- Church of the Gesù
- Trajan's Market & Imperial Fora
- Mouth of Truth
- Tiber Island
- Circus Maximus