Museo nazionale di Capodimonte

About the museum

The museum is housed in the royal palace that Charles of Bourbon had built from 1738 on the Capodimonte hill to hold the art collection inherited from his mother, Elisabeth Farnese. The core of the collection goes back to the Farnese collecting begun in the 16th century by Pope Paul III, and it included paintings, drawings and cartoons by great masters.

The rooms of the palace housed works of art from the mid-18th century onwards. During the 19th century, under the Bourbons, the French and the Savoy, the palace was furnished as a residence and the collections underwent transfers, losses and new acquisitions; the museum was officially inaugurated in 1957.

Today the route includes the Galleria Farnese, the Galleria delle cose rare, the Galleria delle Arti a Napoli from the 13th to the 18th century, with works from the city’s churches, the Galleria delle Porcellane and a historic apartment. In the same area is the Real Bosco, the vast historic park whose management the museum oversees. Some sections, such as part of the armoury and contemporary art, are closed for restoration and re-display works.

Highlights

• Farnese collection with paintings by great masters of the Renaissance
• Galleria delle Arti a Napoli from the 13th to the 18th century
• Galleria delle Porcellane with the Bourbon royal manufactures
• Room 62 with the museum’s masterpieces
• Real Bosco di Capodimonte, historic park around the royal palace

Permanent exhibitions

• Galleria Farnese – Paintings and works from the Farnese collection, the historic core of the museum.
• Galleria delle Arti a Napoli dal Duecento al Settecento – Route through Neapolitan art, with works from the churches of the city and its surroundings.
• Galleria delle Porcellane – Rooms dedicated to porcelain from the Bourbon royal manufactures.

Founded

1957

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura

Director

Eike Schmidt

Visitors per year

approx. 151,559 (2024)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month, on 25 April, 2 June and 4 November.

The ticket includes the temporary exhibitions, is valid for the whole day and allows you to leave and re-enter until closing. With 18app the ticket costs €2. Purchase on the Musei Italiani portal; an annual pass is also available. The museum is part of the Campania Artecard network. Bookings and guided tours: 848 800 288 or +39 06 399 67 050.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

Wheelchairs are available for visitors with different abilities. In the Giardino dei Principi there are tactile and olfactory panels with texts in Italian, English and Braille; sign-language routes (LIS and IS videos) are planned, as well as the Capodimonte tattile tra le mani tactile route for blind and visually impaired visitors, and the programme Un Bosco Reale per TUTTI for people on the autism spectrum.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers free workshops and guided tours for children, such as Gioca con l’oca in the Galleria delle Porcellane, and drawing and architecture workshops for young people.

Getting there & parking

By car from the ring road, take the Capodimonte exit. Taxi stands at Porta Grande (via Capodimonte) and Porta Piccola. Walking routes of about 30 minutes and 2 km, for example from Capodimonte to the Archaeological Museum via the Ponte della Sanità, the Catacombe di San Gennaro and the Scale del Niccolini.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Free lockers for temporary use with a €1 coin that is returned; the cloakroom is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 to 19:30.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Spaces for cultural events, conferences and exhibitions, charged according to regulations: among others the Sala della Culla, Sala degli Arazzi, Salone per le feste, Salone Camuccini, courtyards, the Zona Belvedere and the wood’s meadow. Some spaces are not available at present.

Plan your visit