Capodimonte Museum (Museo di Capodimonte)

The Basics

Capodimonte Museum is located inside Capodimonte Palace, which was built by the Bourbon King Charles VII of Naples and Sicily to house the Farnese art collection he had inherited. The first and second floors are home to the National Gallery, with more than 100 paintings by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Masaccio, Giorgio Vasari, and El Greco, as well as works from the Neapolitan school. The ground floor holds classical sculpture, and the royal apartments display 18th-century furniture. Surrounding the palace, the 331-acre (134-hectare) Capodimonte Park is one of Naples’ most beautiful estates.

The Capodimonte Museum is one of the largest in Italy, and is best visited with a guided tour to appreciate the collections and grounds without being overwhelmed. To avoid a long wait, book a tour with skip-the-line tickets. Many private Naples tours or hop-on hop-off bus tours include a stop at the museum.

Things to Know Before You Go

• A visit to the museum is particularly interesting for art enthusiasts who are interested in the Neapolitan school.

• The Capodimonte Museum is completely wheelchair accessible.

• Large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas must be checked at the entrance.

• The museum houses a small bookshop and café.

• Photography without flash is allowed in the museum.

How to Get There

The Capodimonte Museum is located just outside the center of Naples, accessible via a number of city bus lines or the convenient museum shuttle bus (Shuttle Capodimonte) that departs hourly from Piazza Trieste e Trento (opposite Teatro San Carlo) and stops at Piazza Dante and the National Archaeological Museum en route. Tickets can be purchased directly on the bus.

When to Get There

This popular museum and surrounding park can be very crowded on weekends, so it’s best visited on a weekday. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.

Highlights of the Capodimonte Museum Collection

Some of the collection’s highlights include thePortrait of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and theBaronci Altarpiece by Raphael, theAntea by Parmigianino, theTransfiguration by Giovanni Bellini, theAnnunciation and the Mary Magdalene by Titian, Masaccio’sCrucifixion, Botticelli'sMadonna with Child and Angels, and, most important, Caravaggio’sFlagellation of Christ.