Capitoline Museums

The Capitoline Museums are unique buildings in Rome, which contain collections of the history of the eternal city of Rome, artifacts and various unique objects. This is the world's first public art museum, which was founded by Pope Sixtus IV in 1471, when he donated to the "people of Rome" a collection of antique bronzes that had previously been housed in the Lateran Palace. Every year, this place brings together thousands of people who are interested in Italy and its rich history.

History of origin

The history of the Capitoline Museums dates back to the 15th century, and it was at this time that Pope Sixistus IV donated a huge and rich collection of Lateran sculptures to the residents of Rome. In 1734, the museums were opened to the city. It is officially recognized that the Capitoline Museums are the first museums in the world. The collections themselves are kept in two of their three buildings - Palazzo Conservatori, Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo Senatorio. The two museums that house the collections are connected to each other by a tunnel in which monumental arches can be found.

Architecture of the Capitoline Museums

Palazzo Nuovo includes many sculptures and busts that were created by the great Italian masters of that time. The unique specimens of this museum include: the statue of Marforio, the Capitoline Venus, the She-Wolf, Brutus and Spinario. The first floor of the building is decorated with a glass room, which houses the great statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The halls of this museum also house the works of Horthy Esquilin. In 2005, the hall officially became named after Marcus Aurelius, and statues of Aurelius sitting on a horse were erected on the square itself.

The second floor presents the visitor with a magnificent gallery, which houses the masterpieces of the masters - paintings by Guercino, Reni, Caravaggio. The gallery is designed so that all the paintings in it are stored in chronological order. The second museum, Palazzo Capitolino, is often called the Numismatic Museum, which contains a unique collection of old coins as well as precious coins.

Speaking of the Capitoline Museums, we should tell you about another amazing place - the Palazzo of Conservatives, which is located on the Capitol site. The building was built in the first half of the 15th century, it was used as a meeting place for Roman magisters. A visitor entering the Palazzo is greeted by the majestic figure of Emperor Constantine. At the front staircase there are antique reliefs dedicated to the same Marcus Aurelius and his victory over the Germans. In other rooms, you can see famous exhibitions, including the Spinario sculpture, a Roman bronze bust and a statue from the beginning of the 1st century BC. One of any places to visit among tourists is the bronze room, which contains the extensive collection of Emperor Constantine the Fourth.

Every year, crowds of tourists visit various places in Rome, among all the tourist destinations, one of the most popular is the Capitoline Museums. An indescribable historical picture opens before the visitor here, which is saturated in all the elements of the museum decor. There is no doubt that visiting this facility will not leave anyone indifferent.