The Capitoline Museums are a group of art and archaeological museums located on the Capitoline Hill in Rome, Italy. They are among the oldest and most prestigious museums in the world, and are famous for their impressive collection of ancient Roman and Renaissance art.
The Capitoline Museums were founded in 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV, who donated a group of bronze statues to the city of Rome. Over the years, the collection grew through donations and acquisitions, and today the museums house some of the most important works of art from ancient Rome and Renaissance Italy.
The museums are located in three buildings: the Palazzo dei Conservatori, the Palazzo Nuovo, and the Palazzo Senatorio. The Palazzo dei Conservatori houses the Capitoline’s most important works of art, including the famous Capitoline Wolf, a bronze statue of a she-wolf nursing the twins Romulus and Remus, who, according to legend, founded the city of Rome. Other notable works include the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius and the colossal head of Constantine.
The Palazzo Nuovo is home to a collection of ancient Roman sculptures and frescoes, including the celebrated Dying Gaul and the Galata Morente, as well as a collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, including works by Caravaggio and Tintoretto.
The Palazzo Senatorio houses the museum’s offices and administrative departments, as well as an impressive collection of ancient Roman bronzes, coins, and other artifacts.
The Capitoline Museums are a must-see destination for anyone visiting Rome, and they offer a fascinating glimpse into the art and culture of ancient Rome and Renaissance Italy.
