Experts' Choice Award Musei Capitolini
What the experts agree on
The world's oldest public museum, set in Michelangelo-designed palazzi on Piazza del Campidoglio, holds a vast classical sculpture collection—less crowded than the Vatican, though labeling can be sparse.
“The Capitoline Museums house a collection of ancient sculptures in a pair of buildings designed by Michelangelo in the mid-16th century.”
– Afar Magazine
Fodor's "Surpassed in size and richness only by the Musei Vaticani, this immense collection was the first public museum in the world." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Dating to 1471, the Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini), the world's oldest national museums, houses one of Italy's finest collections of classical sculpture." Full review
Time Out "The entire collection was finally opened to the public in 1734, by Pope Clement XII. Many statues remain frustratingly label-less but there is a decent audioguide." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"Based at the Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo, although part of the collection (notably items excavated in the rome region) are now on display at the Montemartini Power Station." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Inexplicably un-crowded, this institution houses the second largest collection of ancient art in the world." Full review
The Telegraph "The gems are now spread through two palazzi on opposite sides of the Michelangelo-designed Piazza del Campidoglio." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"This electricity power station (the first public thermoelectric power station partly powered by steam turbines) is an unusual setting in which to find sculpture from the Musei Capitolini collections." Full review
U.S. News & World Report17.0
"The Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums) was the first public museum in the world, and it holds Rome's symbol, the bronze Capitoline Wolf. According to lore, the wolf nursed the..." Full review
Frommer's "The masterpieces here are considered Rome’s most valuable...this is the oldest public museum in the world. So try and schedule adequate time, as there’s much to see. " Full review
National Geographic "The Musei Capitolini, which is home to a stunning collection of ancient marble and bronze sculpture"
