Museo di Capodimonte

Museum Naples, Italy

The National Museum of Capodimonte is a museum in Naples, located inside the palace of the same name, in the town of Capodimonte: it houses galleries of ancient art, one of contemporary art and a historic apartment. It was officially inaugurated in 1957, even if the halls of the palace have hosted works of art since 1758.

Capodimonte is far enough outside of the city center that the museum is tragically under visited. Access to the collection had been greatly reduced due to low attendance, but change has begun with new director Sylvain Bellenger who comes to Capodimonte from the Art Institute of Chicago. He was hired as part of Italy’s international search for 20 new museum directors to revitalize Italy’s best museums. His most impactful accomplishment so far—a shuttle bus that saves tourists the €30 ($33) cab ride up the Capodimonte hill.