EyeReport, Italy - Fascinated by the perfection of roman art in a warm sunday afternoon in a Capitoline Museum (and its terrace looking over Rome....)
The creation of the Capitoline Museums has been traced back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated a group of bronze statues of great symbolic value to the People of Rome. The museums are located in two front buildings (Palazzo del Conservatorio and Palazzo nuovo) placed in Piazza del Campidoglio. Piazza del Campidoglio's current appearance dates back to the middle of the XV century when it was designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti. The piazza's component parts (buildings, sculptures and decorated paving) were intended by Michelangelo to form one single organic unity, although over the centuries there have been a number of alterations and additions. The collections of the museums are closely linked to the city of Rome, and most of the exhibits come from the city itself. Palazzo dei Conservatori keeps very important testimonials of roman art, such as the Capitolin she-wolf, the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (placed in an appositely glass-made room), and several bronzes of emperors and common people (like the beautiful Spinario). Also marbles of emperoros, generals, tumbs etc etc. Really difficult to mention all. These Museums by themselves deserve a visit to Rome!