Visiting the Capitoline Museums
The Capitoline Museums in Rome hold the title of the world's oldest public museum collection. They first opened their doors to the people of Rome in 1734, following a decree by Pope Clement XII. The exhibit space spans 12,977 square meters. You will find the collection spread across two main buildings, the Palazzo Nuovo and the Palazzo dei Conservatori, along with several annexes and a subterranean gallery built in the 1930s to house ancient inscriptions.
A collection spanning over 500 years
The collection dates back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated a group of antique bronze statues. Among these is the iconic symbol of Rome, the Capitoline Wolf, an ancient bronze dating to the 5th century BC. The gallery grew steadily over the centuries. In 1515, three large high-relief panels depicting scenes from the life of Emperor Marcus Aurelius were added. The museum also acquired fragments of monumental statuary, including pieces from the colossal statue of Emperor Constantine.
Works reflecting the artistic genius of Rome
From the beginning, the Capitoline Museums were intended to serve as a repository for artifacts found within Rome that document its long history. The Pinacoteca Capitolina (Capitoline Picture Gallery), located on the second floor of the Palazzo dei Conservatori, holds works purchased in 1750 by Pope Benedict XIV from the Sacchetti and Pio families. Intent on preserving the cultural legacy of Rome, the Pope acquired a significant collection of Renaissance paintings.
When Rome was established as the capital of a reunified Italy in 1870, the museums became the primary destination for the flood of archaeological finds unearthed during the city's urban expansion.
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Superb museum that you shouldn't miss. Very beautiful statues, all in a magnificent setting.
A lot fewer people than at the Vatican, but just as many beautiful works.