Capitoline Hill, Rome


	Capitoline Hill One of the seven hills of ancient Rome, the Campidoglio, or Capitoline Hill, was the political and religious center of the Empire. Though the ancient temples and capitol buildings are gone, the Piazza del Campidoglio at the summit continues as the seat of the municipal government and the site of important public ceremonies. In 1538 Michelangelo brilliantly redesigned the summit piazza, turning it into a public space befitting the grandeur of its history. Ancient sculptures everywhere speak of Rome's heroic past, from the balustrade of the cordonata to the cornice sculptures of the palaces. No sculpture is more important to the design than the bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. A symbol of Rome, the statue was revered in the Middle Ages and later became the inspiration for many Renaissance sculptors. Many of the original artworks from here are in the adjacent Capitoline Museums. The Capitoline Hill also provides one of the best views in Rome. Look down onto the Roman Forum, or across the cordonata to the city. Both are magical at dusk. Address: Piazza del Campidoglio Rome Italy