Capitoline Museums

Established in 1471, the Capitoline Museums are among the world’s oldest public museums, located on Capitoline Hill in Rome. They consist of two main buildings, the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo, connected by the Galleria Lapidaria. The museums’ collections include ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance and Baroque paintings, coins, and inscriptions, offering visitors a comprehensive view of Rome’s artistic and historical heritage. Notable works include the Capitoline She-Wolf, the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, and the Dying Gaul. The museums also provide educational programs and temporary exhibitions, enhancing the cultural experience for visitors of all ages.

Planning your visit

The Capitoline Museums have been open to the public since 1471, which makes them arguably the oldest public museums in the world. They occupy two palaces on Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio, linked by an underground gallery that opens onto a terrace with one of Rome's better views over the Forum. The collection is the city's own: the Capitoline She-Wolf, the Dying Gaul, the colossal fragments of Constantine, and the original equestrian Marcus Aurelius whose replica stands outside in the square.

Private guided tours dominate the bookable options here, and they suit the material — much of the collection is Roman civic history that assumes context most visitors don't arrive with. Formats include standard private tours, extended itineraries adding the Vittoriano monument next door, and Percy Jackson mythology tours aimed at families with children who know the gods from the books. Tickets bundled with hop-on hop-off bus passes work well given the hill's position between the Forum and the city centre. See current times below.