2 hour(s)
English
Included
€ 150
€ 138.00
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
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The Capitoline Museums hold the distinction of being the world’s oldest public collection, showcasing an extraordinary range of artworks, from ancient statues to Renaissance masterpieces.
The collection began with Pope Sixtus IV’s historic gift of the Lateran bronzes to the city of Rome. This invaluable contribution included iconic pieces such as the She-Wolf, the Spinario, the Camillus, and the colossal head of Constantine with his hand and globe. Over the centuries, these ancient sculptures have been carefully preserved and displayed on the Capitol.
Your journey through this remarkable site begins at Palazzo Nuovo, home to a captivating array of famous sculptures. Here, you’ll encounter timeless masterpieces like the Dying Galata, the Capitoline Venus, the two Centaurs, and the Dancing Faun. You’ll also admire intricate reliefs, mosaics, and bronzes, as well as an impressive collection of busts depicting rulers from the Hellenistic and Roman eras.
As you explore further, immerse yourself in the stunning works of renowned artists, including Caravaggio, Pietro da Cortona, Guercino, Tintoretto, Annibale Carracci, Paolo Veronese, Titian, Rubens, Antonio Van Dyck, and many others. With its blend of ancient wonders and Renaissance brilliance, the Capitoline Museums offer a captivating experience that spans the ages.
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The museum was absolutely beautiful! So many amazing sculptures and art with amazing rooms. Went at 9:30am and there were no crowds, nice quiet time at the museum! Only reason it lost a star is because, while waiting for the museum to open, there was some construction and other guests were confused on where to buy tickets. When they tried to ask the staff questions, the staff completely ignored them and refused to answer. I understand the museum wasn't open yet, but they could've been kinder. Definitely recommend purchasing online in advance like I did!
The collection itself is outstanding — if you’re interested in Ancient Rome or the Renaissance, you could easily spend an entire day here appreciating the incredible range of exhibits. However, I’m giving only three stars because of two serious issues. First, the layout is confusing and poorly planned. Even with the museum map, it’s very difficult to understand where you are or what route to follow. The displays feel scattered, and there’s no clear sense of direction. If your time is limited, I strongly recommend booking a guided tour — otherwise you’ll likely get lost or miss important sections. The second and much more serious issue concerns the entrance area and staff behavior. The signage between the security checkpoint and the ticket office is extremely unclear. I knew I had to buy a ticket, but after passing the security check, the only sign in that direction said “Entrance” — nothing about a ticket office. Naturally, I hesitated and looked around for clearer instructions. While I was trying to find the right way, a female staff member stopped me and told me to leave, instead of simply pointing me to where tickets were sold. This was completely unacceptable. I had followed the correct procedure by entering through security, as instructed by the guards, and was only trying to locate the ticket counter. Yet instead of offering help, the staff member’s first reaction was to drive visitors away. That kind of behavior shows a serious lack of professionalism and basic courtesy. For a museum of this historical importance, such treatment is shameful. The management urgently needs to improve both signage and staff training — visitors shouldn’t be made to feel unwelcome just because of unclear directions.
The Capitoline Museums in Rome are recognized as the oldest public museum complex in the world, tracing their origins to the 15th century when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of important bronze statues to the people of Rome. Since then, the museums have developed into one of the most significant centers of archaeological heritage in the city. The complex consists of three main buildings: the Palazzo dei Conservatori, the Palazzo Nuovo, and the Centrale Montemartini. These buildings are connected by an underground gallery system beneath the central square, designed by Michelangelo, which allows visitors to explore the entire collection seamlessly. At the entrance stands the replica of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, prominently placed at the heart of Piazza del Campidoglio. The original statue, remarkably preserved due to centuries of mistaken identity as a Christian emperor, is displayed inside the museum to prevent further oxidation and deterioration. The collection includes the iconic Capitoline Wolf (Lupa Capitolina), depicting the legendary she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. Fragments of the colossal statue of Emperor Constantine the Great—including a massive head, hand, and foot—are among the museum’s most striking displays. Numerous statues of Roman gods and goddesses enrich the galleries, featuring deities such as Mars, Minerva, Jupiter, Neptune, Oceanus, Artemis, Venus, Mercury, and Cupid. The gilded statue of Hercules, a rare survival from antiquity, adds to the collection’s grandeur. The Capitoline Museums also house an Egyptian collection, with artifacts such as sphinxes, falcon and baboon statues, and other objects reflecting Rome’s fascination with Egyptian culture, especially during the Imperial period. A statue of Artemis from the ancient city of Ephesus. A striking bust of Medusa, symbolizing both myth and Roman artistry. An ancient Roman chariot, illustrating aspects of ceremonial and everyday life. A rich painting collection, featuring works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, and Titian, which complements the museum’s archaeological treasures. The Capitoline Museums serve not only as a repository of Rome’s ancient past but also as a pioneering model of the modern museum—a space where art and artifacts are preserved for public benefit rather than private ownership. Today, the complex stands as a testament to the continuity of Roman cultural identity, bridging the city’s legendary foundations with the Renaissance vision of knowledge and civic pride.
One of the best museums in Rome simply put. The square in which it sits was designed by Michaelangelo in the 1500s. The museum is dedicated to history and art of Ancient Rome. The most famous work is the Capitoline Wolf. There are also renaissance and baroque paintings which are all very stunning to see in real life. This museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and the architecture itself is just stunning. It’s best to book tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist periods.
This museum has plenty to offer. It's spread across two buildings with an underground walkway that is full of funeral finery and even some tablets with Roman laws on. One of the rooms is full of marble emperor heads and plenty of statues standing around. Out in one of the courtyards is a very large statue of Constantine I. They have a gallery with old coins that date right back to the early part of the Roman empire. We came back to this museum as there is so much to see and marvel at. There are lifts available and the stairs have stairlifts on to assist wheelchair users.
