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Pio-Clementine Museum

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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The Pio-Clementine Museum is the premier section of the Vatican Museums dedicated to ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. Founded in the late 18th century by Popes Clement XIV and Pius VI, the museum was established to house the ever-growing collection of classical antiquities held by the Holy See. Its focal point is the Octagonal Court (Cortile Ottagono), home to some of the world's most famous sculptures, including the Laocoön Group and the Apollo Belvedere. The museum's architecture, much of which was designed by Michelangelo Simonetti, is a masterpiece in its own right, created specifically to frame and celebrate these monumental stone works. Other major highlights include the Belvedere Torso, which profoundly influenced Michelangelo, and the massive porphyry sarcophagi of Saints Helena and Constantia. The collection provides an unrivaled survey of classical antiquity and has significantly shaped the aesthetic ideals of the Renaissance and Neoclassical periods.

Location: Vatican
Top sights: Missionary Ethnological Museum · Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo · Vatican Museums
Population: ~829 (2026)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	7	8	10	14	18	23	26	26	21	17	12	8
Rain mm	73	77	69	56	57	34	26	26	70	82	114	92

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The Pio-Clementine Museum is the largest section of the Vatican Museums, housing significant Greek and Roman sculptures. It is accessible with a standard Vatican Museums ticket.

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Typical hours

Like all Vatican Museums, the Pio-Clementine Museum is typically open daily from 9:00 to 18:00, except Sundays. The museum is closed on Sundays except the last Sunday of the month.

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Photography

Photography is allowed in most areas without flash, but near the Laocoön group there may be restrictions. Tripods and selfie sticks are usually not permitted.

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Time needed

Plan at least 1.5 to 2 hours for this museum to see the famous sculptures. The Laocoön group and the Apollo Belvedere are absolute highlights.

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Combine with

Combine the Pio-Clementine Museum with the Vatican Pinacoteca and the Sistine Chapel. They are all part of the museum route and easily walkable.

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Getting there

Enter through the main entrance of the Vatican Museums on Viale Vaticano. Follow the signs to the Pio-Clementine Museum - it is located on the first floor of the museum building.

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Insider tip

Visit the Laocoön group early in the morning when crowds are smaller. The statue is displayed in its own niche - take time for the details.

Geography

Population

829 (2026)

Coordinates

41.90680, 12.45330

Facts

The museum is named after its founders, Clement XIV and Pius VI.
The Laocoön Group was discovered in 1506 and bought by Julius II.
The Octagonal Court was the first area used to display these statues.
Michelangelo Simonetti was the primary architect for the museum.
The Belvedere Torso dates back to the 1st century BC.
It contains 12 major rooms showcasing classical antiquities.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Bramante Staircase (Original)<1 km · EExplore →

Medaglie d'Oro2 km · NWExplore →

Palazzo Spada2 km · SEExplore →

Flaminio3 km · NEExplore →

Porta Pia3 km · EExplore →

Farnesina3 km · NExplore →

Val Cannuta4 km · WExplore →

Colosseum4 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

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Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Pio-Clementine Museum (10)

Missionary Ethnological Museum🏛 museum

Museum in the Vatican, displaying ethnological collections from mission areas.

🌐 museivaticani.va

Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo

Double spiral staircase in the Vatican, designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932.

Vatican Museums🏛 museum

Museums of Vatican City, encompassing numerous art collections and galleries.

🌐 museivaticani.va🕒 Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 09:00-14:00♿💶

Museo Gregoriano Profano🏛 museum

Museum in the Vatican, displaying ancient pagan sculptures and reliefs.

Punto panoramico di viale della Galea

Viewpoint in the Vatican, offering views over the gardens and Rome.

Tower of the Winds🗼 tower

Tower in Vatican City, housing an astronomical clock and wind instruments.

Necropoli della Via Triumphalis

Necropolis in Vatican City, an ancient burial site along the Via Triumphalis.

Pius IV House

Seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a Renaissance building in Vatican.

Belvedere Courtyard

Former Vatican courtyard, connecting various museums and buildings.

Cappella di Santa Maria Assunta

Church building in Rome, Italy, used for Catholic worship.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important work in the Pio-Clementine Museum?

The Laocoön Group and the Apollo Belvedere are among the most famous statues.

Who founded this museum?

Popes Clement XIV and Pius VI founded it in the late 18th century.

Where is the Laocoön located?

In the Octagonal Court (Cortile Ottagono), the heart of the museum.

What is the Gallery of Statues?

A long corridor with an impressive collection of Roman copies of Greek sculptures.

Are there ancient mosaics there too?

Yes, especially in the Round Room (Sala Rotonda), there are magnificent floor mosaics.

Pio-Clementine Museum: where is it located?

Pio-Clementine Museum is located in Vatican.

Pio-Clementine Museum: what is there to see?

Highlights include Missionary Ethnological Museum, Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo, Vatican Museums.

Pio-Clementine Museum: when is the best time to visit?