Housed in a magnificent Bourbon hunting palace on a hill above Naples, the Museo di Capodimonte contains one of Italy's great art collections. Highlights include works by Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael, and El Greco, plus an extraordinary collection of Capodimonte porcelain.
The Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte occupies a magnificent 18th-century Bourbon hunting palace set within a 134-hectare park on a hill overlooking Naples in Campania, Italy. Commissioned by King Charles III of Bourbon in 1738 and designed by Giovan Antonio Medrano, the palace was built primarily to house the Farnese Collection inherited through his mother, Queen Elisabetta Farnese—one of the greatest private art collections ever assembled. Today the museum contains more than 47,000 works distributed across three floors and is widely considered one of the most important art museums in Italy. The first floor houses the Farnese Collection and royal apartments: highlights include Titian's Danaë, Raphael's Portrait of Leo X with Cardinals, Annibale Carracci's Pietà, and extraordinary Flemish and Italian Renaissance paintings assembled over generations. The second floor is devoted to Neapolitan painting from the 13th through 18th centuries, with an outstanding room dedicated to Caravaggio's Flagellation of Christ (1607), one of the artist's greatest works, painted during his Neapolitan period. The collection of Capodimonte porcelain, produced in the royal factory established within the park in 1743, occupies a dedicated gallery and represents the finest surviving expression of 18th-century Bourbon decorative arts. A gallery of Andy Warhol's Vesuvius paintings illustrates the museum's engagement with 20th-century art. The surrounding park, formerly a royal hunting reserve, is a free public green space with excellent views over Naples and the bay, popular with local families for picnics and walks at weekends.
Good to know
- Hours
- 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM (Thu-Tue, closed Wed)
- Best time
- morning
- Best for
- art lovers, culture, families
Location
Via Miano 2, 80131 Naples NA
40.8696, 14.2510 View on map
Highlights
- View Caravaggio's Flagellation of Christ (1607), one of the artist's defining Neapolitan masterworks
- See Titian's Danaë and Raphael's Portrait of Leo X in the peerless Farnese Collection
- Explore the royal apartments furnished with original Bourbon court decoration and Capodimonte porcelain
- Walk the free 134-hectare park with panoramic views over Naples and the Bay of Naples
- Visit the gallery dedicated to 18th-century Capodimonte porcelain, a world-class decorative arts collection
Tips for visiting
- The surrounding park is free and great for a picnic
- Caravaggio's Flagellation of Christ is a highlight
- Take a taxi as the museum is uphill from central Naples
When to visit
Weekday morning visits avoid the worst of the weekend crowds. The museum is less visited than the National Archaeological Museum and rarely overwhelmingly crowded, making it more relaxed year-round. The park is particularly beautiful in spring when the gardens are in bloom and in autumn for golden foliage.
Accessibility
The museum has lift access between floors, and the main galleries are wheelchair accessible. The park has some uneven terrain in the wilder areas, but the main pathways near the palace are suitable for wheelchair users. There is a dedicated accessible entrance and parking for visitors with disabilities.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors reach Capodimonte from central Naples?
The museum is uphill from the city centre and requires a taxi or the dedicated Capodimonte shuttle bus from Piazza Trieste e Trento. The journey by car takes approximately 15–20 minutes from central Naples depending on traffic. Public bus route 178 also serves the area.
How long does a Capodimonte Museum visit take?
A selective visit to the main highlights takes two to three hours. A comprehensive exploration of all three floors and the decorative arts galleries requires four to five hours. The park can be enjoyed as an add-on before or after the museum without additional cost.
Is the museum closed on any days?
The museum is closed on Wednesdays. Opening hours are 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM on all other days. The park remains open until after museum closing time.