Pio-Clementino Museum
The classical sculpture collection, including the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere.
Updated 12 October 2026
UNESCO World Heritage
The Pio-Clementino holds the Vatican's Greek and Roman sculpture, assembled around the Belvedere courtyard where popes had been displaying antiquities since the early sixteenth century. The Laocoon group, dug up in Rome in 1506, and the Apollo Belvedere are the two pieces the collection is built around. The Round Hall with its porphyry basin and the Hall of the Muses are part of the same suite.
The main sights
- The Laocoon - the group unearthed in Rome in 1506.
- The Apollo Belvedere - the figure that defined classical taste for centuries.
- The Round Hall - the domed room with the porphyry basin at its centre.
- The Octagonal Court - the Belvedere courtyard the collection grew around.
When to go
November to March is the quietest window. Early morning is least crowded. Closed on Sundays except the last of the month.
Good to know
It sits on the main route and the crowd moves through steadily. Labelling is minimal for a collection of this importance. The best pieces are surrounded most of the day.
Nearby
The Gregorian Egyptian Museum is north, and the Gallery of Maps is east.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q1439912, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Pio-Clementino Museum
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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