Standing proudly within the Piazza del Campidoglio, a square designed by the famed Michelangelo himself, are the museums' two main buildings: Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo. Connected by an underground gallery, these structures offer a treasure trove of Roman history and artistic mastery.
A Legacy of Donation and Public Access
The story of the Capitoline Museums begins with Pope Sixtus IV, who in 1471 gifted a collection of significant bronze statues to the people of Rome. This act of donation sparked the creation of a museum accessible to all, a revolutionary concept at the time. Over the centuries, the museum's collection continued to grow through acquisitions and donations, solidifying its place as a cultural cornerstone.