The Louvre Museum is one of the world's largest and most visited art museums. Housed in the Louvre Palace, a historic monument originally constructed as a fortress in the late 12th century under Philip II, the building has been expanded many times to form the present structure. It was the main residence of the French kings before the court moved to the Palace of Versailles. The museum opened to the public in 1793, displaying a collection of 537 paintings, primarily from the royal collections and confiscated church property. Its collection spans from antiquity to the mid-19th century and is divided among eight curatorial departments: Near Eastern Antiquities; Egyptian Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Islamic Art; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; Paintings; and Prints and Drawings. The museum is renowned for housing several of the most famous works of art in history, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. It serves as a central landmark of the city and a key institution for art history and cultural heritage.