Hotelrome.net Blog : A guide to news and events in Rome

As a tourist you have probably seen all the parts of Rome, all the sights and places. What I propose you today is a trip into details, which will continue through the next several weeks. I would like to start talking about the Capitoline hill and its peculiarities you may not have heard of.

The Capitoline hill is the smallest of the famous seven hills of Rome, but also the most important because the first nucleus of the city was born here. Initially it was enclosed by a system of defensive walls to protect the inhabitants from hostile tribes who lived in surrounding areas.
The Colle del Campidoglio, the way it is called in Italian, has been since ancient times an important place for the life of the city, first as a religious centre, following as a place of power when it arranged the Senate in Rome.
The hill overlooking the Roman Forum, and several temples were built here, for this was considered the most sacred places of Ancient Rome.
But it was during the Republican age that the importance of the Capitoline grew and became the place of power in the city.

The Capitoline Hill is the basic

Capitol Hill, Rome

nucleus of Roman life for thousand of years. The Capitoline once were sacred to the Romans and the destination of the triumphal processions of victorious generals.

In medieval times the Capitoline was neglected, after numerous fires. Major reconstruction work were made by the Emperor Domitian, in 81 A.C. But then the hill was gradually abandoned after the fall of and subsequent destruction of temples of ancient Rome.
Later it was called Monte Caprino, because reduced pasture for goats.

The Palazzo Senatorio was built for the first time in the twelfth century on the ruins of the Tabularium, the archive status of ancient Rome. This was located at one end of the Forum and was re-used as a deposit first, then as a prison.

Today the Capitoline is the headquarters of the Mayor and Municipality of Rome. And it hosts one of the most important museums of Rome-

the Capitoline Museums.

oday the main attraction is the Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo as from about 1537. The square is facing S. Peter, with pavement design and the centrifugal center equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

The Capitoline Hill is reached by the grand flight of steps known as the “Cordonata”, built to a design by Michelangelo Buonarroti, commissioned by Pope Paul III.

The cordonata was a place of transit of men and knights, for this is so large.
Its form is to gather downwards.

The "cordonata capitolina" connects today Piazza del Campidoglio with the underlying square of Aracoeli.
The cordonata is that road slope formed by large elements in stone or brick (here the name) that make it similar to a staircase.

The Square of Campidoglio hosts a lot of intersting events, so, if you happen to be in Rome, book a nice stay with a bunch of special offers in Lucci Hotel and just walk for half an hour and enjoy the greatest cordonata and special concerts!!!