Capitoline Hill

Capitoline Hill is the smallest of seven hills of Rome. Since the moment of its foundation, which was more than 2500 years ago, this place was the political and religious center in Rome.

At the Capitoline Hill there were built few ancient significant temples by the Romans. They are: the Temple of Virtus, the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Capitolinus and the Temple of Juno Moneta. The temple of Jupiter was the symbol of the city, like Caput Mundi, the world capital.

In the middle ages Piazza del Campidoglio was redesigned by Michelangelo, including the buildings surrounding the square. The new design from master included the tempting ground pattern, reincarnation of the Palazzo Senatorio – seat of the senate in Rome, new façade for the Palazzo dei Conservatori, new building - the Palazzo Nuovo.

The project of redesign was finished only in the XVII century, after Michelangelo’s die. But the most part of his ideas of reconstruction was implemented. The Cordonata is known as the long magnificent staircase to the Piazza del Campidoglio. It’s decorated by statues of granite Egyptian lions at the foot and at the top it’s adorned by two huge statues of Pollux and Castor in classical style.

The Palazzo Nuovo is the left coming building from the Cordonata. It represents one of few Capitoline Museums and offers classical sculpture. The Palazzo Senatorio is located in the centre of the square. The name is explained byits function, which is represented by seating of the The central building on the Piazza del Campidoglio is the Palazzo Senatorio. The name is derived from its function as seat of the Senate. It was built in the XI century as a fortress and in the XVI century was redesigned by Michelangelo.

The Palazzo dei Conservatori is the building which is located opposite the Palazzo Nuovo. In the middle ages the Palazzo dei Conservatori was the seat of the government of Rome. Now it’s a part of the Capitoline Museums and offers collection of excellent paintings and sculpture.