Museo di Capodimonte

Museum in Naples

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Mentnafunangann

The Museo di Capodimonte, housed in the grand Bourbon Palace of Capodimonte in Naples, Italy, serves as a premier art museum renowned for its extensive collection of Neapolitan paintings, decorative arts, and important works from various Italian schools. It also features significant ancient Roman sculptures, making it one of Italy’s largest museums. The museum opened its doors in 1957 but traces its rich collection back to 1738 when King Charles VII of Naples planned to build a palace to house the Farnese Collection, which he inherited from his mother, Elisabetta Farnese.

Throughout its history, the museum has faced various challenges, including looting during political upheavals and the transfer of its artworks to other locations. Notably, during the French occupation in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the collection was temporarily moved to the Naples National Archaeological Museum. The collection was returned and significantly expanded under successive monarchs who enriched it with new acquisitions and additions, such as historic firearms and Roman artifacts.

Today, the Museo di Capodimonte’s National Gallery spans the first and second floors, showcasing masterpieces from the 13th to the 18th centuries by illustrious artists like Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. The museum is particularly noted for its extensive representation of the Neapolitan School and houses part of the Farnese collection of Roman sculptures on the ground floor. In recent years, it has continued to evolve with notable donations, such as over 70 works by prominent Italian artists donated by art dealer Lia Rumma in 2022, ensuring its status as a dynamic repository of Italy’s rich artistic legacy.

The Museo di Capodimonte appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Naples!

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