The Capitoline Museums are a group of art and archaeological museums located on top of the Capitoline Hill, which was the political and religious center of ancient Rome. Their collections focus on the history of Rome and include masterpieces such as the "Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius," the "Capitoline Wolf, " the "Dying Gaul, " but also later masterpieces such as Caravaggio's "Fortune Teller" and Bernini's "Head of Medusa."

Part of the Ambrosian Library in Milan, Italy, the Ambrosian Art Gallery was founded along with the library by the celebrated Cardinal Federico Borromini in 1609 to house his extensive collection of manuscripts, books, and paintings. The collection today includes "The Portrait of a Musician" attributed by many to Leonardo da Vinci, the "Cartoon for the School of Athens" by Raphael, and "The Basket of Fruit" by Caravaggio. In addition to these great masterpieces, the Ambrosian Art Gallery is also home to the world largest collection of drawings and writings by Leonardo da Vinci, known as the Codex Atlanticus.

Located in Milan, Italy, and inaugurated on Napoleon's birthday on August 15, 1812, the Pinacoteca di Brera (Brera Art Gallery) contains one of the world's most important collections of Italian Renaissance painting. This second episode explores masterpieces by Piero della Francesca, Raphael, and Caravaggio.

Located in Milan, Italy, and inaugurated on Napoleon's birthday on August 15, 1812, the Pinacoteca di Brera (Brera Art Gallery) contains one of the world's most important collections of Italian Renaissance painting. This first episode explores masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini, Andrea Mantegna, Tintoretto. Paolo Veronese, and Vittore Carpaccio.

The National Painting Gallery in Siena, Italy, known locally as the "Pinacoteca Nazionale," houses one of the world's most important collections of medieval and Renaissance Sienese paintings. It includes two rare paintings by Duccio di Buoninsegna, as well as masterpieces by Simone Martini, Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Il Sodoma and Domenico Beccafumi.

The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo houses some of medieval Siena's most important masterpieces. Works such as Duccio's "Maestà" and stained-glass window, Giovanni Pisano's 13th-century facade sculptures, and Donatello's "Madonna del Perdono" are but a few of those masterpieces.

While most people visit the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy, to see Michelangelo's great statue of "David," there is much more to this museum. The Accademia is also home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Lippi, Giambologna, Perugino, Andrea del Sarto and Pontormo, as well as Michelangelo's unfinished "Slaves."

Built in the 14th century, the Museum of Orsanmichele was originally a grain market, but later turned into a church. The museum is housed inside of this church and includes a beautiful "Madonna and Child by Bernardo Daddi and a magnificent Gothic "Tabernacle" by Orcagna on the ground floor, as well as many sculptural masterpieces by Donatello, Ghiberti, Verrocchio, and Giambologna on the first floor. The upper-most floor of the museum offers breathtaking 360° views of the surrounding city of Florence.

Once a property owned and lived in by Michelangelo, the Casa Buonarroti Museum was created by the famous artist's nephew to celebrate the legacy of his famous uncle. The museum contains Michelangelo's two earliest known sculptures - "The Madonna of the Stairs" and "The Battle of the Centaurs," his spectacular wooden model for the facade of San Lorenzo and the world's largest collection of Michelangelo drawings. There is also a group of paintings celebrating Michelangelo by important 17th-century artists including Artemisia Gentileschi.