The Quirinal Hill is the northernmost and the highest of the Seven Hills of Rome. Named after an ancient god of war of the Sabine people (later assimilated by the Roman mythology as a god of the state and avatar of Romulus), namely, Quirinus, the Quirinal Hill has been, since the late 16th century until now, associated with the residence of the bigwigs of the ecclesiastical and political arena of Rome (who used to choose the Quirinal precisely due to its height, far from the irritating atmosphere of the lowlands of the capital). We speak of Palazzo del Quirinale, the old residence of the Popes, later of the kings of Italy, and now the seat of the president of the Italian Republic. The Quirinal Palace remains one of the top tourist sights of the Quirinal Hill.

The Quirinal Hill was originally a nestle of the Sabine people on the peninsula. The Sabines had a great influence on the formation of the Roman culture (mythology, politics, art and so on). The hill started to play an important role in the life of the city since its inclusion in the administrative confines of the capital, under Servius Tullius (6th century BC). It is here that the splendid Horti Sallustiani (Gardens of Sallust) were laid out in the 1st century BC, and that Constantine the Great had his baths built in the first half of the 4th century AD.

However, since antiquity until now, the architectural patrimony of the hill was significantly enriched, such that, at present, while wandering on its slopes, tourists can stumble across gracious fountains, splendid palaces, old churches and vestiges of ancient and medieval structures.

Palaces on the Quirinal Hill: Palazzo del Quirinale, Palazzo della Consulta, Palazzo Colonna, Palazzo Rospigliosi, Palazzo Barberini (home to the National Gallery of Ancient Art)

Squares on the Quirinal Hill: Piazza Barberini

Fountains on the Quirinal Hill: Complex of the Four Fountains

Churches on the Quirinal Hill: Church of San Carlo at the Four Fountains, Church of Sant’Andrea al Quirinale, Church of San Silvestro al Quirinale

Attractions nearby the Quirinal Hill: Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese Gardens

Name:
Quirinal Hill (Collis Quirinalis)
Address:
Rome, Italy