Capitoline Museums

★ 4.7 (18,878)$$ · Mid-range

Founded in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a group of bronze statues to the people of Rome, the Capitoline Museums claim the title of the oldest public museum in the world, spread across two Michelangelo-designed palaces atop the Capitoline Hill. Highlights include the Capitoline Wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, colossal fragments of a statue of Constantine, and the original gilt-bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. With a 4.7 rating across nearly 19,000 reviews and top marks for culture and aesthetics, it ranks among Rome's essential stops rather than a niche detour. Plan on a full two hours to take in both palaces and the underground gallery connecting them.

✨ Reasons to go

1Founded in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated bronze statues to Rome, making it the oldest public museum in the world
2The museum spans two palaces on Capitoline Hill designed by Michelangelo, linked by an underground Tabularium passage with views over the Roman Forum
3Home to the Capitoline Wolf, colossal fragments of a statue of Constantine, and the original gilt-bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius

💡 Good to know

1Book tickets online to skip the line, especially in peak season
2the underground Tabularium passage offers one of the best views of the Roman Forum
3combine a morning visit with nearby Forum sites since it's an early best time slot.

⏱️ Typical visit

🕰️ Best time

morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening or evening

🚶 Walking intensity

Moderate walking

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Address

Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy · RomaGoogle Apple

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Booking

Booking recommended

What people say

"This was the most incredible museum I have ever visited. The scale of everything inside is incredible, so beautiful so detailed. The art was absolutely breathtaking. All of the sculptures... Oh my goodness. What a fantastic trip through history. These are the most exquisite artifacts. So grateful I was able to come and enjoy this beautiful building full of masterpieces."

— Jennifer Turner

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