Musei Capitolini
One of the oldest public museums in the world, on the Capitoline Hill: ancient sculptures such as the Capitoline Wolf and the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, and the Pinacoteca Capitolina.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The origins of the Musei Capitolini date back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV gave the Roman people a group of ancient bronze statues of great symbolic value, including the Capitoline Wolf. For this reason the complex is considered one of the oldest public museums in the world. The collections grew over the centuries through purchases, donations and finds from the city’s excavations, largely from Rome itself.
The museum is located on the Capitoline Hill, in the heart of Rome. The square and the palace façades were redesigned from the 16th century onwards to a design by Michelangelo. The museum is divided between the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo, linked by an underground passage, the Tabularium, which overlooks the Roman Forum.
The route presents sculptures and archaeological finds from the Roman period, including imperial portraits, the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius with its context, and fragments of the Colossus of Constantine. The Pinacoteca Capitolina holds paintings from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. The museum is part of the Sistema Musei di Roma Capitale and offers temporary exhibitions, educational activities and accessible routes.
Highlights
- Capitoline Wolf, bronze symbol of Rome
- Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius
- Fragments of the Colossus of Constantine
- Capitoline Galata and Capitoline Venus
- Pinacoteca Capitolina with paintings from the Middle Ages to the 17th century
Permanent exhibition
- Collezioni permanenti dei Musei Capitolini – Sculptures and archaeological finds from the Roman period, the fragments of the Colossus of Constantine and the Pinacoteca Capitolina.
- Founded
- 1471
- Operated by
- Roma Capitale – Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali
- Visitors per year
- approx. 516,420
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9.50EU citizens aged 6 to 25 and over 65; serving teachers, journalists, holders of a MIC card or of a Roma Pass 48/72 hours |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6. |
| Seniors | €9.50Reduced fare for EU citizens over 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and one companion or family member. |
| Groups (5+ people) | –Groups of 5 to 25 people (guide excluded) can book exhibitions by calling 060608; at least 5 tickets must be bought in advance. Schools must book; school visits are free for classes entitled to them. |
| Capitolini Card (7 days, Musei Capitolini and Centrale Montemartini) – standard | €15.50 |
| Capitolini Card (7 days) – reduced | €11.50 |
The prices shown are for non-residents, without temporary exhibitions. Admission is free for residents of Rome and the metropolitan area on showing a document proving residence (since February 2026 an identity card is enough at the ticket office). Free admission is also granted to EU tourist guides and interpreters accompanying visitors, to members of ICOM and ICOMOS, and to members of certain cultural institutions such as the Accademia dei Lincei and ICCROM. The MIC card (€5) gives free access for 12 months to the Sistema Musei di Roma Capitale. With temporary exhibitions the price changes. Online booking costs €1; tickets bought online or by phone are non-refundable and cannot be changed.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum has lifts, stairlifts and ramps, with staff assistance. As these are historic buildings, not all barriers can be removed. Permanent tactile aids are available for some important works, along with an online LIS video of the whole route, an LIS video in the area of the Tempio di Giove and an LIS video guide to the Pinacoteca Capitolina. People with disabilities and one companion enter free of charge.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
A dedicated audio guide is available for children aged 6 to 12; a family rate is planned for the Diego Rivera exhibition.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN, FR, DE, ES) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The audio guide (€4) and video guide (€6) are available in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish. The audio guide for children and families (€4, for ages 6 to 12) is available in Italian, English and French. The group radio guide costs €18 for 30 receivers and one transmitter. Guides can be bought at the ticket office. A museum app for iOS and Android is also available. |
