Unveil Rome’s Splendor: A Journey to the Campidoglio

The Campidoglio: Seat of the City Hall of Rome

Overview

The Campidoglio, or Capitoline Hill, seat of the City Hall of Rome, is famous for the panorama that includes the view of the imperial forums and the Altare della Patria. The episode of the geese that saved the city of Rome from the Gauls of Brennus is famous. The Campidoglio is the smallest of the seven hills of Rome but also the one most closely linked to the history of the Eternal City, witnessing its birth and millennia of changes.

The Centuries of Change

Going up a sumptuous staircase, called Cordonata, you conquer the top of the hill and find yourself in front of Piazza del Campidoglio. The version we admire today was designed by Michelangelo, but even before him it had been a place of fervent civil activity and politics, and even later, going through the various periods of history, it continued to change and to be enriched with new treasures.

A Bit of History

Founding of Rome

Telling the story of the Campidoglio means telling the story of Rome itself: it was here that the first settlement arose, destined to become the immortal city, the one that would conquer the entire known world in a few centuries.

From the Middle Ages to Modern Times

The music changed in the Middle Ages, when the temples fell into a state of abandonment and the mountain, from the navel of the world, became a great pasture for goats and other animals, so much so that it was renamed Monte Caprino.

Visit the Capitol

Ascending the Hill

As previously mentioned, you can ascend the majestic Cordonata staircase that Michelangelo created in the sixteenth century to reach the top of the Campidoglio.

The Palazzo Senatorio and Capitoline Museums

To welcome the guests are the Dioscuri with their horses, which were positioned on the balustrade in 1585. Also to Michelangelo we owe the layout of the square, in the shape of a trapezoid, with the short side towards the staircase, at the entry point of the visitors.

The Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo

Hellenistic and Roman Art Collection

The right side of the square is dedicated to Hellenistic and Roman art; among the most famous works are the statue of the Capitoline Venus, that of the dying Galata Capitoline, the head of Constantine preserved in the courtyard, the bust of Medusa by Bernini, and the Spinario in bronze, a Hellenistic work by an unknown author that represents a young man intent on removing a thorn from the sole of his foot.

Visit the Museum

The museums are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 to 20.00, with the exception of January 1, May 1, and December 25, and the ticket office closes one hour earlier than the gallery. Guided tours are available, and the ticket price varies according to the temporary exhibitions present.

The Surprises of the Campidoglio

Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli

Worth seeing is the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, founded in the 4th century at the point where, according to tradition, Augustus received from the Sibyl the prophecy of the Redeemer’s arrival.

How to Get There

To get to the Campidoglio, you can start from the Termini Station. You will need to take bus lines 40, 64, or 170 or the metro line B in the direction of Laurentina for two stops to the Colosseum station. From here, you can choose whether to proceed on foot towards Piazza Venezia through the Fori Imperiali or to take bus lines 85, 87, 810, and 850.

From Barberini to the Campidoglio

From Barberini, you can reach the Campidoglio with lines 63 and 95.

From San Pietro to the Campidoglio

If you’re starting from San Pietro, you can reach the Campidoglio using lines 40, 62, and 64.

Conclusion

Visiting the Campidoglio is a journey through history, from the earliest settlements of Rome to its modern city administration. You can see the architecture and art influenced by different periods, view the landscape of Rome from a high vantage point, and get a sense of the political and religious importance of this hill over the centuries. No trip to Rome is complete without experiencing the rich history and beautiful views of the Campidoglio.