Musei Capitolini Museums, Rome

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Since 2005 a new large glass hall built, inside the garden of the Palazzo dei Conservatori, contains the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (the one on the Piazza is a copy).
It is likely that this bronze statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161 - 180 AD) was erected a few years before is death. Where is not sure but probably in the Roman Forum although medieval sources mentioned its presence on the Lateran.
These equestrian statues called "equi magni", larger than life-size, were much diffused in the imperial Rome but from the twenty mentioned in documents this is the only one which reached us through the centuries.

The statue was placed on the Capitol's Hill in 1538. Corrosion and fissures in the legs made a removal of the statue in 1981 for long restoration works necessary. In 1990 Marcus Aurelius became again visible in the courtyard of the Capitoline Museum sheltered by a large window. In the present prestigious hall Marcus Aurelius has got for company some of the major Capitoline bronzes, the Hercules in gilded bronze from the Foro Boario and the remains of the bronze colossus of Constantine.

Open (2011): 9 - 20 h. Closed: Monday, 25/12, 1/01 and 1/05.
Price: 12 €, reduced 10 €.

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If you have only time to visit one museum in Rome I advise you this one.
You will not be waiting in a long line as with the museum of the Vatican and you will see very famous pieces of the Antique art. Moreover the site of the museum is one of most beautiful of Rome.
In fact there are 3 museums on Piazza Campidoglio. They are called "Musei Capitolini" and belong to the city of Rome. The sole entry is on the right by the “Palazzo dei Consevatori”. Here on two floors and about thirty rooms is the main part of the collections. The most outstanding artefacts are statues of bronze or marble of the ancient Rome. Most known are “the She-wolf”, “the Spinario” and the equestrian statue of Marc-Aurelius.
By an underground gallery the visitors reach, after a right turn, the arcades of the antique “Tabularium”, located under the "Palazzo dei Senatorio" and present town hall, from where one has imposing sights on the Foro Romano and the Palatine hill.
By this same underground the visitors join, on the other side of the Piazza Campidoglio the “Palazzo Nuovo” which comprises a dozen rooms with statues of which most known are the “Faun” and “the dying Gaul”.
The exit of the Capitoline Museums is by this palace.

The collections of statues and archaeological artefacts of the “Musei Capitolini” were made up as from 1471 by the Popes and Roman important families like the Horti and the Castellani. The Pinacotheca, art gallery of the second floor was founded by Pope Benoit XIV in the 18th century. There is also a cabinet of currencies and medals.

Open (2011): 9 - 20 h. Closed: Monday, 25/12, 1/01 and 1/05.
Price: 12 €, reduced 10 €.

Nice cafeteria with terrace on the 2nd floor.

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Best known, of course, is the Lupa Capitolina or She-wolf (Why is there no specific English word for a female wolf like in other languages!?). This famous Etruscan bronze statue (room VII Palazzo dei Conservatori) of the emblem of Roma goes back as far as the 6th c. BC. The twin brothers Romulus and Remus were added during the Renaissance period.

A most beautiful statue is that of the Spinario: "Boy removing thorn from foot". Certainly one of the most gracious statues of all times, it is probably an original Greek work of the 1st c. BC. (room VI). In the same room, I very much liked the bust of consul Junius Brutus dating from the 3rd c. BC. (nothing to do with the Brutus who killed J. Caesar). Have you seen the expression of the eyes!
I also admired a bronze statue of a horse of the 5th c. BC which is being restored. What a perfection!

Open: 9 - 20 h. Closed: Monday, 25/12, 1/01 and 1/05.
Price: 12 €, reduced 10 €.

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If you are an amateur of ancient sculptures you will find here very fine pieces coming mainly from private collections belonging to high-ranking churchmen and noble Roman families.
Among the marble statues I did admire is the very famous "Galata Morente" (Room VIII, Palazzo Nuovo). The English translation of "dying Gaul" is confusing because the Galates were Celtics living in Asia Minor (far away from the "Galli" Gaul's of the present France). The statue is a copy of a bronze statue from the school of Pergamo (3-2nd c. BC) it is one of the most beautiful pieces of the antic art.

In the large room VI of the same Palazzo Nuovo are five masterpieces of black marble among which the "Old Centaur" and the "Young Centaur" of an extraordinary technique are my preferred. They were found at the Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli as well as another highlight of the museum, the red marble statue of a "Faun".

But these are just a few among many good statues. I also liked that elegant statue of Hygeia and the portrait in marble of a lady with an imposing wave hairdressing which was typical for the family of the Severi Emperors.

Closed: Monday, 25/12, 1/01 and 1/05.
Price: 12 €, reduced 10 €.

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They say that the creation of this museum goes back to 1471 and a donation of bronzes by Pope Sixtus IV. Housed in 2 palazzos on either side of Piazza del Campidoglio - on top of Capitoline Hill - and connected by an underground gallery, Capitoline Museum focuses on pieces that have originated from or have special significance to Rome. Palazzo Nuovo is almost exclusively for sculpture and where you'll find likenesses of emperors, philosophers, mythological figures and important citizens. A friend of mine calls it "That place with all the heads"! Palazzo dei Conservatori is much larger and has a wider range of works - paintings, tapestries, frescos - as well as sculpture.

It has a very good website that highlights the most important and/or well-known works. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday 9.00am-8.00pm (closed some holidays) and entrance is 11 euro. Check the site for any changes in hours and entry fees. Advance tickets are possible but probably not necessary.

What?

This is the oldest national museum, or rather museums, founded in late 15th century by Pope Sixtus IV, who has also given some of the Papal art to the city

Where?

Piazza di Campidoglio, main entrance via Palazzo dei Conservatori

Main Exhibits

- Lupa Capitolina, representing the female wolf feeding Romulus and Remus
- Spinario - the sculpture of the buy removing a thorn
- Paintings by Bellini
- Paintings by Titian (including Baptism of Christ)
- Paintings by Caravaggio (including La buona ventura)
- Paintings by Rubens
- Paintings by Van Dyck
- Paintings by Tintoretto

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The courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the museums on the Capitoline Hill, is filled with fragments from Rome’s glory days. It is a delight for anyone who enjoys sculpture as I do.

On the left-hand side can be seen decorations taken from the Temple of Hadrian, which include the representations of the Provinces of the Roman Empire and military trophies, all in white marble bas-relief.

On the right-hand side are the remains of the colossal figure of Constantine the Great, which were housed in the Basilica of Maxentium in the Foro Romano. Included here are his 8.5-foot-tall head, one of his feet, a bulging bicep, and a hand with the index finger pointing skyward, all carved from white marble. The figure was seated and it rose to a height of 30 feet. It was carved between AD 315 and AD 330. The dressed parts of the body were made of wood covered in gilded bronze; but they have been lost.

FORUM REPLY.
As you are mainly interested in statues, best is to visit the CAPITOLINE MUSEUM (1 museum in 3 buildings linked together wit a fantastic view on the Foro Romano) and the two Museo Nazionale Romano at PALAZZO MASSIMO and PALAZZO ALTEMPS. Amazing collection of Greek and Roman statues.
These 3 museums are in the centre so it is possible to see their highlights in 1 day. For details see tips and photos on Rome Things to Do.

No long lines and crowds like at the Vatican Museum (mainly visited for the Sistine Chapel)