The Capitoline Museums, located on Capitoline Hill in Rome, are among the oldest public museums in the world. They were founded in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a group of ancient bronze statues to the people of Rome. Officially opened to the publ... read moreic in 1734, the museum complex includes the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo, both arranged around the Piazza del Campidoglio, which was designed by Michelangelo.

The museums house a vast collection of classical art and Roman artifacts. Highlights include the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, one of the few surviving bronze statues from ancient Rome; the Capitoline Wolf, which symbolizes the legend of Romulus and Remus; and the Dying Gaul, a powerful sculpture representing a wounded warrior. The collection also features Renaissance and Baroque works by artists like Caravaggio and Bernini, along with coins, inscriptions, and everyday Roman objects.

The Capitoline Museums are open daily, usually from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM. They are easily accessible by public transportation and offer visitor services such as guided tours, audio guides, and a rooftop café with panoramic city views. Whether you're interested in sculpture, painting, or Roman history, the museums provide a rich and immersive experience in the heart of ancient Rome.