About this attraction
Everything you need to know about Capitoline Museums
The Capitoline Museums are the oldest public museums in the world — opened to the public in 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV, making them 21 years older than Columbus's arrival in America. Housed in two Renaissance palaces on the Capitoline Hill designed by Michelangelo, they contain the finest collection of ancient Roman sculpture in existence.
The rooftop café has the best view over the entire Roman Forum — a direct sightline over the Via Sacra, the Temple of Saturn, and the Colosseum on the horizon. The original gilded bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (the outdoor version is a copy) is inside.
What's included
Highlights & inclusions
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World's oldest museums
Founded 1471 — predating Columbus's voyage by 21 years
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Marcus Aurelius statue
The original gilded bronze equestrian statue — 2nd century AD
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Capitoline Wolf
The iconic bronze wolf suckling Romulus and Remus
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Forum rooftop view
Best sightline over the entire Roman Forum from the café terrace
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Caravaggio paintings
St John the Baptist and The Fortune Teller in the Pinacoteca
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Michelangelo piazza
The Piazza del Campidoglio — designed by Michelangelo in 1536
Areas & access
What you'll find inside
Palazzo dei Conservatori
Ground + 1st floor
Ancient Roman sculpture, Capitoline Wolf, Bronze Marcus Aurelius
Palazzo Nuovo
Ground + 1st floor
Greek and Roman sculpture — the Capitoline Venus, Dying Gaul
Pinacoteca
2nd floor
Painting gallery — Caravaggio, Rubens, Titian, Van Dyck
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Practical information
Getting there & what to know
| Address | Piazza del Campidoglio 1, 00186 Rome |
| Opening | Tue–Sun 9:30am – 7:30pm. Closed Mondays. |
| Transport | Bus: Piazza d'Aracoeli stop; or 10-min walk from the Forum |
| Duration | 2–3 hours |
💡Tip : The rooftop café terrace has the best view over the Forum — have a coffee there even if you're not hungry. The Pinacoteca (painting gallery) on the 2nd floor is often skipped by visitors — the Caravaggios are extraordinary.
Before you go
Tips & recommendations
- →Don't skip the Pinacoteca — the Caravaggios are exceptional.
- →The rooftop café terrace has the best Forum view — stop for coffee.
- →The Piazza del Campidoglio (Michelangelo's design) is worth seeing even from outside.
- →Combine with the Forum entrance (5-min walk) for a full ancient Rome day.
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