To say that Rome is a country with a rich history would be a gross understatement. The country is filled with monuments and landmarks that show us what times before were like. And one of the best places for you to douse yourself with a godly amount of Roman history is the Capitoline Museum.
The Capitoline Museum actually refers to a group of museums located in the in Piazza del Campidoglio, which is in turn, situated on top of the historical Capitoline Hill. So if you’re planning a trip there, better be prepared for a lot of walking.
There are three main buildings that compose the Capitoline Museum – the Palazzo Senatorio, which is the oldest of the three, constructed in the 12th century; the Palazzo dei Conservatori, built in the mid 16th century; and the 17th century Palazzo Nuovo, which faces the Palazzo dei Conservatori, and sports a similar design.
Seeing the Sights
Of course, you won’t be able to ignore the statue of Marcus Aurelius on a horse that stands in the center of the piazza. More surprising is that it is only a copy, with the original housed in a glass room in the Palazzo dei Conservatori. This statue of Marcus Aurelius is one of the major pieces, if not THE major historical piece, housed in the Capitoline Museum, being the only bronze equestrian statue that has survived the ravages of history.
The great artist Michelangelo is credited with most of the designs of the current museum and grounds, although the actual site of the Capitoline Hill served as an area where a great many historical events happened, which date far back into the times of the Roman Empire.
You’ll notice that most of the artifacts in the Capitoline Museum are statues and busts – a trend started by Pope Sixtus IV in 1471 when gave the Roman people a gift of bronze statues. Since then, the museum has served as the refuge of many Roman art pieces such as inscriptions, statues, and other artifacts from that time period; as well as a few medieval and Renaissance paintings and tapestries.
You can find most of the oldest and most Roman art in the Palazzo dei Conservatori. On the first floor, you’ll be able to see the bronze statues of Hercules and the emperor Constantine. There is also a room filled with depictions of Rome’s battles with Carthage. While here, you might also want to look at ancient coins, medals, jewelry, and other small historical items up on the third floor. Just below are some Renaissance art pieces.
The other museums house similar Roman art pieces, such as the marble sculpture called the Dying Gaul and another of Cupid and Psyche.
Underneath the whole Piazza are more galleries that link all the buildings that comprise the Capitoline Museum, so you don’t need to go in and out of each museum, which would prove to be a great inconvenience if it’s raining or the sun is particularly harsh.
To visit
The museum is open every Tuesday to Sunday from 9 in the morning to 8 at night. There is a small entrance fee, but every last Sunday of the month, tourists are let in for free. So if you’re on a budget, then this is the best time for you to pay it a visit.
