History of the Capitoline Museums from the Birth to the Present Day

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the Capitoline Museums and how they have evolved to the present day?

Do you have any idea when they came into being and what was in the area during the time of the ancient Romans? This article is for you!

The Capitoline Museums are not only one of the most important attractions in Rome, but also the first public museum in history!

A place where art became accessible to all, marking a turning point in Western culture. If museums as we conceive them exist today, it is thanks to this magical place.

In this article you will find out when and how the Capitoline Museums came into being, what transformations they have undergone over time, and how today they continue to tell the thousand-year history of Rome.

Read on to immerse yourself in a fantastic journey between past and present!

ALT! The Capitoline Museums hold works and artifacts that are unique in the world. Visiting them means immersing yourself in Rome’s history and breathing in the air of ancient times! But beware: attendance is always high all year round and lines at the entrance are often long. Avoid the waits and book your skip-the-line ticket now to experience a stress-free visit! Purchase your admission here.

The origins of the Capitoline Museums: history of the first public museum in history

Detail of the gilded bronze Hercules Statue

In 1471 Pope Sixtus IV made an unprecedented gesture, a priceless gift to the Roman people.

In fact, the Pope gave a group of bronze statues as a gift, marking the beginning of the Capitoline collection.

Within this donation we already find some of the statues still most appreciated today, such as the Capitoline She-Wolf, the Spinarius and the Colossal Head of Constantine.

For the first time, the people can admire works of art related to the history of their city-a true revolution, since art is no longer exclusive to nobles and private collectors.

Initially, the statues were displayed on the exterior facade and in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori, and gradually the collection was enriched.

By the 16th century there were many important finds from urban excavations added to the collection: for example, the gilded bronze statue of Hercules found in the Forum Boarium, the Capitoline Brutus, and many truly valuable inscriptions such as those in the Capitoline Fasti found in the Roman Forum.

Then, in 1538, there was the very important acquisition of the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius.

Capitoline Museums: the baroque age and the expansion of the collections

Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius

But the Capitoline Museums continue to grow, to the point where the Palazzo dei Conservatori alone is no longer sufficient to house the entire collection.

That’s where Michelangelo Buonarroti comes in, commissioned to erect Palazzo Nuovo to expand the space for the works.

It was in 1654 that Palazzo Nuovo began to house works of art, and it is thanks to the genius of the artist that today Piazza del Campidoglio appears to us as it does: it was his idea to affix the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius (although now a copy is preserved outside and the original is placed inside the museums), the design of the paving and the arrangement of the buildings.

It must be considered that successive popes sensed the importance of enriching the collection, so that the museums became a true symbol of the city and a link to the history of Rome.

This brings us to a pivotal year in the history of the Capitoline Museums: 1734. Pope Clement XII purchased Cardinal Albani’s collection and in the same year opened the museum to the people: and here citizens could visit a museum for the first time in history!

If Clement XII enriched the exhibition and directly connected the museum with its citizenry, Pope Benedict XIV inaugurated the Pinacoteca Capitolina through the acquisition of two other important collections: that of the Sacchetti family and that of the Pio di Savoia family, thanks to which he brought the works of Titian, Caravaggio and Rubens to the museums.

The value of the works of art contained within the museums is inestimable, so much so that many of them were taken by Napoleon during the French occupation, including the most important sculptures such as the Capitoline Venus, the Dying Galata and the Spinario.

Only through the intervention of Antonio Canova were the works recovered through the Congress of Vienna, although some important works remained in the Louvre, such as the Sarcophagus of the Muses, which belonged to the Albani collection.

Capitol Museums: from the nineteenth century to today

The New Palace in Capitol Square

After the Unification of Italy, major excavations were conducted during the work of Rome’s capital: the amount of material and artifacts that emerged was incredible!

Much of what was discovered was exhibited for years at the Capitoline Museums, and in 1920 the museums were expanded through the union of the adjacent Capitoline Palace.

Later, in the late 1930s, the Underground Gallery joining Palazzo dei Conservatori with Palazzo Nuovo was built, later to become the Lapidary Gallery, which houses the epigraphs.

But the Capitoline Museums’ growth is not yet over: in 1997 the Centrale Montemartini opened in the Ostiense district, with the idea of creating a fusion of industrial and classical archaeology.

Over the years, the Museums’ management has worked to continue to grow this landmark in the city and beyond with restorations, technological innovations and the removal of architectural barriers.

A plan is created to improve and expand the museums, named “Great Capitol,” and it is within this framework that in 2005 the Exedra Hall of Marcus Aurelius, the setting up of the Lapidary Gallery, and the second floor of Palazzo Caffarelli is also arranged in a more functional way.

Visiting the Capitoline Museums: frequently asked questions

History of the Capitoline Museums: conclusion

Richly ornamented wall and ceiling in the Palazzo dei Conservatori

Well, here we are at the end of our historical insight into the birth and history of the Capitoline Museums.

We have seen together the milestones that led to the birth of the world’s first public museum, capable of changing forever the history of culture and the enjoyment of art.

I told you how it all began in the 15th century, thanks to Pope Sixtus IV’s donation of a group of bronze statues to the people of Rome, and how from here on the collection has continued to grow to the present day.

You were able to read that the pivotal year for the birth of the museum was 1734, when Pope Clement XII officially opened the doors of the museums to the population, writing a page of history in terms of art and its usability.

You also learned that even Napoleon was amazed by the Capitoline masterpieces, to the point that he appropriated several works of art, until France had to return them in 1815 following the Congress of Vienna and thanks to the efforts of Canova.

To conclude, I have answered the most frequently asked questions related to the history of the world’s first public museum, but should you have any other doubts please do not hesitate to contact us by leaving a comment below.

In short, the Capitoline Museums represent an extraordinary journey through the history of Rome, from its origins to the present day. With unique works, a priceless heritage and a history intertwined with that of the eternal city, they are a must-see for every visitor.

Want to see live the works and history you’ve just discovered? Don’t risk finding long lines at the entrance: book your Capitoline Museums ticket now and experience art without waiting! Buy your ticket here.