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"Capitoline Museums"

Rome Tourist Guide Museums  

Capitoline Museums

The Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini) consist of the collections at the Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo dei Conservatori, the Pinacoteca and the Tabularium. Taken together, the complex is one of the oldest public museums in the world. The museums' collection began in 1471 with a gift from Pope Sixtus IV, who decided to donate several bronze sculptures from the San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica to the people of Rome. The donation also carried a symbolic gesture - although the Campidoglio had been neglected for some time, the space had once served as the religious centre of Ancient Rome.

The Palazzo Nuovo showcases a number of sculptures and statues representing well-known Roman personalities.  In addition to the famous bust of Marcus Aurelius, the collection also includes representations of Sophocles, Homer and Cicero. Another impressive piece in this collection is the bust known as Galata Morente or Galata Moribundo, which is actually a Roman replica of a Greek bust from the 3rd century B.C.

Facing the Palazzo Nuovo is the Palazzo dei Conservatori, which served as the seat of the Roman tribunals until well into the Middle Age. The most significant art work to be found here is the famous Lupa Capitolina (Capitoline She-wolf), an Etruscan statue sculpted in bronze during the 4th century B.C. The she-wolf is seen breast-feeding the twins Romolus and Remus, who are considered the mythical founders of Rome. It is interesting to note that the figures of the twins are far more recent works than the she-wolf and weren't added until 1509. Anyone fascinated by ancient legends should pay close attention to the frescoes that cover the palace walls – many of them are visual representations of these ancient stories. Another unusual sculpture to be found at the Palazzo dei Conservatori is entitled Spinario. This extremely delicate sculpture, carved with astoundingly fine details, depicts a young boy removing a splinter from his foot. The patio also holds a few surprises in store, namely the monumental stone foot that was carved in honour of Emperor Constantine and moved here from its original location in the Roman Forum.

A stop at the Pinacoteca, located in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, is an excellent conclusion to the Capitoline Museums. This gallery features paintings by such masters as Caravaggio, Guercino, Tintoretto, Titian and Veronés.

Opening days/hours:
Tuesday-Sunday from 9am to 8pm

http://www.museicapitolini.org

Nearest landmarks or references:
Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Piazza Venezia, Coliseum, Forums, Teatro di Marcello