Located in central Rome, facing the Vatican from the east shore of the Tiber River, the Capitoline Hill nestles between Campus Martius and the Roman Forum, also neighboring on the Palatine Hill (to the southeast). It is one of the first inhabited areas of Rome and, in fact, the refuge of the ancient Sabine tribes in Rome. In antiquity, the hill was home to one of the most important Roman temples, namely, the Temple of Jupiter (also known as the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus or the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus) and to the Capitoline Triad (statuary consisting of the representation of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva), both built under the last king of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. The remaining vestiges of the temple can now be seen at the Capitoline Museums. A notable exhibit of the collections of the Capitoline Museums refers to the original statue of Marcus Aurelius on horseback. A copy of this equestrian statue can now be seen in the center of Piazza del Campidoglio, atop a pedestal designed by Michelangelo.

At present, the Capitoline Hill boasts, from a tourist point of view, of a handful of notable sights: museums, palaces, piazzas. This is the one hill in Rome on which Michelangelo left his creative mark, since he was the architect who designed Piazza del Campidoglio and its monumental palaces. Regardless of Michelangelo’s contribution, the Capitoline Hill exudes an atmosphere filled with the echoes of sundry episodes which have marked the history of Rome. It is on this hill that Caesar was killed by Brutus and his company, this is where the political criminals were killed, pushed to crush against the steep Tarpeian rocks.

Museums on the Capitoline Hill: the Capitoline Museums,

Churches on the Capitoline Hill: Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli

Palaces on the Capitoline Hill: Palazzo dei Conservatori, Palazzo Senatorio, Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo Caffarelli-Clementino (all four hosting the collections of the Capitoline Museums)

Piazzas on the Capitoline Hill: Piazza del Campidoglio, Piazza Navona

Name:
Capitoline Hill (Collis Capitolinus / Capitolino / Campidoglio)
Address:
Rome, Italy