Capitoline Hill, Rome

Capitoline Hill, Rome

The Capitoline Hill may be the smallest of the Seven Hills of Rome, but it certainly was important to the ancient Romans who believed that it was indestructible, and adopted it as a symbol of eternity.

The Capitoline Hill may be the smallest of the Seven Hills of Rome, but it certainly was important to the ancient Romans who believed that it was indestructible, and adopted it as a symbol of eternity. Located between the Forum and the Campus Martius, it was home to several classical temples - Temple of Juno Moneta, Temple of Virtus, Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Capitolinus, and the Temple of Saturn at the foot of hill. Though it fell into disuse during the Middle Ages, it was spectacularly revived during the Renaissance with Michelangelo's plans for the Piazza del Campidoglio, which is surrounded by Medieval and Renaissance palaces including the Capitoline Museums. Explore the magnificent square and its impressive surroundings with one of the various Capitoline Hill tours.

Take the Cordonata stairs from Via del Teatro di Marcello to the Campidoglio Square. Note the black basalt sculptures of 2 Egyptian lions flanking the entrance, and the marble sculptures of Castor and Pollux at the exit. The square is surrounded by the Capitoline Museums (housed in the Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo), and the Palazzo Senatorio which is the city hall of Rome, built on top of the ancient Tabularium which had once housed the archives of Rome. On the square are a fountain with allegorical figures of Tiber, Nile and Minerva, and a bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. The 16th century Palazzo Caffarelli-Clementino, a part of the Capitoline Museums, stands just off the square.

The highest point on the hill is occupied by the 12th century Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, which houses relics of Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, minor relics from the Holy Sepulchre, and the images of Nostro Signora di Mano di Oro di Aracoeli and Santo Bambino of Aracoeli.

The Piazza Venezia at the foot of the hill is the city's central hub which lies at the intersection of several major thoroughfares. It has the Altare della Patria, an imposing monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, first king of Italy.