I Colori dell’Antico. Marmi Santarelli at Musei Capitolini, on view through April 30, 2032

Through April 30, 2032, every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Musei Capitolini, at Piazza del Campidoglio 1 in Rome, presents «I Colori dell’Antico. Marmi Santarelli ai Musei Capitolini» in the rooms of Palazzo Clementino, a permanent display of more than 660 polychrome marbles from the imperial age. Admission is included in the museum's entrance ticket at the current rate, and tickets are bought online.

Updated November 9, 2026.

The event

The display comes from a ten-year loan free of charge from the Fondazione Dino ed Ernesta Santarelli and brings together the marbles of the Capitoline collection with those of the foundation. The exhibition is promoted by Roma Culture and the Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali together with the Santarelli Foundation, curated by Vittoria Bonifati, with Andrea G. De Marchi as scientific curator. The installation was designed by the studio Cookies, made up of Alice Grégoire, Clément Périssé and Federico Martelli.

The first room shows 82 polychrome fragments from the Santarelli Foundation. The second room holds two pairs of sample collections: one from the foundation, dating to the early nineteenth century, with 422 pieces, and one from the Capitoline collection, begun in the second half of the nineteenth century by the Gui family, with 288 tiles. The same room also displays a head of Dionysus on a mismatched female bust, in eight types of marble, and tools from the Fiorentini workshop.

The marbles are arranged according to the directions from which the materials reached Rome, linking the variety of colors to the expansion of the empire. A documentary on a loop, by Adriano Aymonino and Silvia Davoli, traces the history of these stones. The catalog, published by Treccani, runs 220 pages and is in Italian and English.

Where it takes place: Musei Capitolini, Palazzo Clementino

The two rooms are in Palazzo Clementino, next to the Medagliere, within the Musei Capitolini complex on Piazza del Campidoglio. The same venue also hosts other exhibitions: Diego Rivera at Musei Capitolini, Il non finito at Musei Capitolini, Angels at Musei Capitolini and the Dedication of the Vigiles to the Severans.

Practical information

• Dates: permanent display, on view through April 30, 2032
• Hours: every day 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., last entry one hour before closing; December 24 and 31, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; closed May 1 and December 25
• Venue: Musei Capitolini, Palazzo Clementino, Piazza del Campidoglio 1, Rome
• Tickets: entry with the Musei Capitolini ticket at the current rate, free with the MIC card; tickets are bought online
• Information: phone 060608, every day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Getting there: use the ATAC route planner

Frequently asked questions about I Colori dell’Antico. Marmi Santarelli

What kind of exhibition is it?

It is a permanent display of more than 660 polychrome marbles from the imperial age, from the Capitoline collection and the Santarelli Foundation, shown in two rooms of Palazzo Clementino.

Until when can it be visited?

Through April 30, 2032, according to the dates given by the museum.

What are the opening hours?

Every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with last entry one hour before closing. On December 24 and 31 the museum closes at 2:00 p.m.; on May 1 and December 25 it is closed. Before planning a visit, check the notices on the Musei Capitolini website.

How do I get in?

With the Musei Capitolini entrance ticket at the current rate. Admission is free with the MIC card.

Where is it?

At Musei Capitolini, Piazza del Campidoglio 1 in Rome, in the two rooms of Palazzo Clementino next to the Medagliere.

Article written by the editorial team of Tour Leader Pro, contact them for Private/Corporate/V.I.P. Tours and Experiences.

Planning a trip to Rome? The English guides to visit the city are on ItalyPlanner.com.