Capitoline Museums
In 1471, Pope Sixtus IV placed a collection of ancient bronzes on the Capitoline Hill for the people of Rome. These works included the Capitoline Wolf and the Boy with Thorn, which had been kept in the Lateran Palace until that moment. The inscription preserved in the Palazzo dei Conservatori states this was not a donation but a restitution to the Roman people. This act established the museum's foundation by returning artifacts to their place of origin. The gilded Hercules found in the Forum Boarium quickly joined the original group of bronzes. It was placed on a high plinth in front of the palace as a monument to the glory of Rome before being moved inside.
Paul III commissioned Michelangelo Buonarroti to completely remodel the square in the 16th century. The project included the renovation of the facades of the Palazzo Senatorio and the construction of the Palazzo Nuovo. Michelangelo designed the new facade for the Palazzo dei Conservatori, replacing the medieval portico with two orders of columns. He died during the works in 1564, leaving his design incomplete. Guido Guidetti continued the work, and Giacomo Della Porta completed it in 1568 following Michelangelo's designs almost faithfully. The square took on its current appearance through these renovations, creating a monumental space that houses the museum today.
Pope Clement XII opened the museum to the public in 1734, making it one of the earliest museums accessible to all citizens. In 1733, under Pope Clement XII, the museum purchased the collection of Cardinal Alessandro Albani. This acquisition included important pieces such as the Satyrs of the Valley and the Juno Cesi. A statue of Antinous found in Hadrian's villa also entered the collection. The end of the eighteenth century was not favorable to the museum due to competition from the Vatican Museums. Despite this, the collections resumed their growth through various donations and purchases by subsequent popes.
In 1797 Napoleon Bonaparte imposed the Treaty of Tolentino which provided for the transfer of some famous pieces to the Louvre Museum. Antonio Canova remedied the Napoleonic spoliations through obstinacy after the fall of Napoleon. He reported back in 1815 with works like the Boy with Thorn, the Capitoline Brutus, and the Dying Gaul. Some items, such as the Sarcophagus of the Muses, remained in the Louvre permanently. The Capitoline Venus was taken to Paris in 1797 following the treaty but returned to the Capitoline Museum in 1816. These events marked a significant period of loss and recovery for the institution.
The Palazzo dei Conservatori is remembered as the place where the Treaties of Rome were signed in 1957. This event established the European Economic Community, the precursor of today's European Union. Six states that were already members of the European Coal and Steel Community took part in it: Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. To this day, these documents remain among the most important in the history of the European Union. The Hall of the Horatii and Curiatii often hosts important ceremonies, including this historic signing.
In 1997, a branch opened in the former Centrale Montemartini, a thermoelectric factory in the Ostiense district. This created an original solution of fusion between industrial and classical archaeology. Its rooms allow the presentation of grandiose remains of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus and the architectural complex of the temple of Apollo Sosianus with a monumental character. A full-scale reconstruction of the Colossus of Constantine was installed in the gardens of Villa Caffarelli in 2023. The museum continues to attract visitors from around the world while hosting temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collections.
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Common questions
When did Pope Sixtus IV establish the Capitoline Museums?
Pope Sixtus IV established the museum in 1471 by placing a collection of ancient bronzes on the Capitoline Hill for the people of Rome. This act included works such as the Capitoline Wolf and the Boy with Thorn which had been kept in the Lateran Palace until that moment.
Who designed the square renovation for the Capitoline Museums in the 16th century?
Michelangelo Buonarroti designed the square renovation project commissioned by Paul III during the 16th century. He died during the works in 1564 leaving his design incomplete before Guido Guidetti and Giacomo Della Porta completed it in 1568 following Michelangelo's designs almost faithfully.
Which pope opened the Capitoline Museums to the public in 1734?
Pope Clement XII opened the museum to the public in 1734 making it one of the earliest museums accessible to all citizens. In 1733 under Pope Clement XII the museum purchased the collection of Cardinal Alessandro Albani including pieces like the Satyrs of the Valley and the Juno Cesi.
When was the Capitoline Venus returned to the Capitoline Museum after being taken to Paris?
The Capitoline Venus was returned to the Capitoline Museum in 1816 after being taken to Paris in 1797 following the Treaty of Tolentino. Antonio Canova remedied the Napoleonic spoliations through obstinacy after the fall of Napoleon and reported back in 1815 with works like the Boy with Thorn and the Dying Gaul.
Where were the Treaties of Rome signed in 1957 within the Capitoline Museums?
The Palazzo dei Conservatori is remembered as the place where the Treaties of Rome were signed in 1957 establishing the European Economic Community. The Hall of the Horatii and Curiatii often hosts important ceremonies including this historic signing involving Belgium France West Germany Italy Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
In which year did a branch open in the former Centrale Montemartini factory for the Capitoline Museums?
A branch opened in 1997 in the former Centrale Montemartini thermoelectric factory located in the Ostiense district. A full-scale reconstruction of the Colossus of Constantine was installed in the gardens of Villa Caffarelli in 2023 while the museum continues to attract visitors from around the world.
All sources
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