Capitoline Museums

The world's first public museum, founded by Pope Sixtus IV in 1471 when he donated bronze sculptures to the Roman people. Spread across two Michelangelo-designed palaces facing each other across Piazza del Campidoglio. Houses the Capitoline Wolf, the colossal head of Constantine, the original Marcus Aurelius equestrian bronze, and the Boy with Thorn. The underground Tabularium passage offers a panoramic view directly over the Roman Forum.