Capitoline Museums
In a city as old as Rome, it’s inevitable that there are many “firsts”, and the Capitoline Museums — Musei Capitolini in Italian — on Capitoline Hill are no exception; these museums, actually one conglomerate, are housed in buildings on the famous Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo with the intent of returning (after years of other purposes) Capitoline Hill to regular citizens’ use.
The museums contain ancient Roman statuary, jewels and jewellery collections, art and coins, but one of the most intriguing and dramatic displays is the bronzes donated in 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV. In so doing, he effectively created the first public museum in the world.
Now owed and managed by the Municipality of Rome, the Capitoline Museums are a favoured place for a number of reasons, including their excellent collections, the wonderful view of the city from the Capitoline Hill, and the sheer beauty of Michelangelo’s piazza.