Attraction Guide: Capitoline Museums, Rome, Italy

Capitoline Museums Guide

Capitoline Museums: Where Ancient Rome Comes Alive Guide

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the grandeur of ancient Rome at the Capitoline Museums, located atop the Capitoline Hill, one of Rome's seven hills. This world-renowned museum complex offers a captivating journey through Roman history and art, showcasing an impressive collection of sculptures, artifacts, and paintings. Prepare to be awestruck by iconic masterpieces and delve into the rich cultural heritage of the Eternal City. The Capitoline Museums hold a significant place in history as one of the oldest public museums in the world, dating back to 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of bronze statues to the people of Rome. Over the centuries, the collection has expanded to include a vast array of Roman and Greek sculptures, Renaissance and Baroque paintings, and archaeological finds. The museums are housed in two magnificent palaces, the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo, designed by Michelangelo himself. The Piazza del Campidoglio, the square connecting the two palaces, is also a masterpiece of Renaissance urban planning. A visit to the Capitoline Museums offers a diverse range of activities. Marvel at the iconic bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius, a symbol of Roman power and wisdom. Explore the Hall of the She-Wolf, home to the legendary bronze sculpture of the Capitoline Wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. Admire masterpieces by Caravaggio, Titian, and Rubens in the Pinacoteca (Picture Gallery). Don't miss the opportunity to climb to the top of the Palazzo Senatorio for breathtaking panoramic views of the Roman Forum and the city skyline. While the museums themselves don't have a specific culinary tradition, you'll find plenty of traditional Roman trattorias nearby offering classic dishes like pasta cacio e pepe and saltimbocca.