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Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio) and the temple of Jupiter used to be the center of the ancient Roman Empire. The temple was built around 509 BC on the south side of Capitoline hill. Today most of it is buried beneath the Palazzo dei Conservatori.

Piazza del Campidoglio was designed by Michelangelo in 1546 but he didn’t live to see it completed. The paving and the facades of the three buildings are all Michelangelo’s work. The plaza has trapezoidal shape and the buildings are placed apart in such way to appear parallel. It was finished in the 17-th century.

Palazzo Nuovo was built by Michelangelo’s proposal to give the square more finished look. It is now one of the Capitoline Museums with a large collection of Classical statues. It has on display fine Greek and Roman statues.

Palazzo dei Conservatori is also a part of the Capitoline Museums. It is on the opposite side of Palazzo Nuovo on the Piazza del Campidoglio. The art galleries display fine art works by Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Rubens, Van Dyck and Guercino.

The Cordonata is the staircase to Piazza del Campidoglio. On both sides it is decorated with beautiful granite statues. The replica of the statue of Marcus Aurelius is at the center of the square. If you want to see the original statue you can visit Palazzo Nuovo.

Aracoeli Staircase is right next to the Cordonata and leads you to the Santa Maria in Aracoeli church (St. Mary of the Altar) on Capitoline Hill. It is a marble staircase with 124 steps and was completed in 1348.


Where is Capitoline Hill: Within a walking distance from Piazza Venezia.

Opening times for Capitoline Museums: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9AM to 8PM one ticket is valid for both museums - Palazzo Nuovo and Palazzo dei Conservatori

Piazza del Campidoglio, Capitoline Hill, Rome



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