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Capitoline Hill (or Monte Capitolino) – one of the most popular and significant out of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was built. This is the place where people used to worship ancient Gods, where the laws were passed, where wealthy noblemen built their luxurious villas, and Renaissance masters made history.
History
Not everybody knows, but Capitoline Hill was chosen by Romulus (the first king of Rome) as a starting point for a new city called Rome. In ancient Rome Capitoline became a place of Senate gatherings and place of official records office – Tabularium. Capitoline temple (also Capitoline Triad temple) was built in the 5th BC century. The temple was dedicated to three main ancient Roman Gods: Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. The fall of the Roman Empire in 1453 led to the destruction of these constructions to the point that citizens were using the area to herd cattle.
Only in 1536 Capitoline Hill with Piazza del Campidoglio crowning its top started to regain its current appearance with the expected arrival of Spanish king Charles V in 1538. Ashamed of the state of Capitoline Hill, Pope Paul III commissioned then and presently famous Renaissance architect and artists Michelangelo Buonarotti to bring Capitoline Hill its past grandeur and consequently become a symbol of Rome. Although Michelangelo was not able to finish the restoration project due to his death, his students continued his work, and the construction was finally accomplished only in 1654.
Modernity
The central place of the hill is proudly taken by the Piazza del Campidoglio. From the bird’s eye, we can see that the square has the shape of a trapezoid. This way, Michelangelo made it visually open to the city and its citizens.
At the center of the square, we can see the Palace of Senators (Palazzo Senatorio) with the Palace of the Conservators (Palazzo dei Conservatori) and Palazzo Nuovo at its sides. The complex of the Capitoline Museums is full of hidden symbols that to this day puzzle scientists and art historians. Who knows maybe you will become the one to decipher Michelangelo’s secret messages?
What to see
As was said before, visiting Capitoline Hill is considered to be of top priority when visiting Rome. Three palaces mentioned earlier comprise the famous Capitoline Museum complex. Moreover, tourists can also see the Basilica of St. Mary of the Altar of Heaven (Santa Maria in Ara Coeli).
The Monument to Cola di Rienzo
On the left side of the main steps leading up to the Capitoline Hill stands a striking bronze statue of Cola di Rienzo, a 14th-century Roman popular leader who sought to revive the Roman Republic. Created in the late 19th century by sculptor Girolamo Masini, the monument portrays Rienzo in a dramatic pose—arm raised, clad in a cloak—symbolizing his passionate call for the restoration of Rome’s ancient civic freedoms.
Born Nicola Gabrini, Rienzo earned the moniker “Cola di Rienzo” and rose to prominence by championing the rights of common citizens against powerful nobles. Although his revolutionary government was short-lived, he remains an enduring figure in Rome’s history. The statue’s prominent placement by the Capitoline steps reminds visitors of the city’s long tradition of political struggle and the enduring allure of its republican ideals.
The Bronze Statue of Marcus Aurelius
In the heart of Capitoline Square, one of the most striking features is the magnificent Bronze Statue of Marcus Aurelius. Cast in the 2nd century, this equestrian masterpiece has captivated historians, art enthusiasts, and visitors alike with its powerful presence and timeless design.
Notably, the statue lacks stirrups—a detail that underscores its ancient origins, as Roman cavalry rode without them long before such innovations appeared. The horse, impressively large and gracefully poised, conveys both strength and calm authority, while the emperor’s relaxed yet commanding pose embodies the dignity and benevolence of his reign.
It’s important to note that the bronze you see in the square is a copy; the original is carefully preserved in the Capitoline Museums. This remarkable preservation is partly due to a fortunate twist of history. In the tumultuous years following the fall of the Roman Empire, many bronze statues were melted down for reuse. However, this particular statue was spared—largely because it was mistakenly identified as a depiction of Emperor Constantine. This misidentification saved it from destruction and allowed its legacy to endure, continuing to inspire awe in all who encounter it.
The Wolf Statue at the Senatorial Palace
To the left side of the Senatorial Palace—if you’re standing at the center of the square—stands a striking bronze statue of a she-wolf nursing the twins Romulus and Remus, known as the “Capitoline Wolf.” This sculpture marks the entrance to Rome’s City Hall and is a beloved symbol of the city’s legendary origins.
The statue you see today is actually a modern copy installed in 1997, measuring roughly 75 cm (about 2.5 ft) in height and 114 cm (about 3.7 ft) in length. The original ancient (or possibly medieval) bronze piece is preserved inside the Capitoline Museums, where it is safeguarded from the elements and potential damage. By placing a replica outdoors, the city ensures that visitors can still appreciate this iconic emblem in its historic setting without risking harm to the centuries-old original.
The Capitoline Wolf has long been intertwined with the myth of Rome’s founding: Romulus and Remus, abandoned as infants, were said to have been rescued and nursed by a she-wolf before Romulus went on to establish the city. Today, this enduring image of maternal care and civic pride stands as a testament to Rome’s storied past and its lasting cultural identity.
Palace of Senators
The Palace of Senators (Palazzo Senatorio) was built in the 13th-14th centuries. Today, the Palace houses the Roman city hall, and tourist visits are prohibited. However, tourists still can visit Galleria Lapidaria, which hosts the most important works of Capitoline’s epigraphic collection. The Ancient underground corridors of Tabularium will help you jump back in time and see the life and politics of Ancient Rome.
Palace of the Conservators
Palace of the Conservators (Palazzo dei Conservatori) was built in the 14th century and served as a meeting place for local magistrates – judges and senators (conservatori). Now the building of the palace hosts the museum of marble busts of Ancient Rome, frescoes, and Pinacoteca that exhibits works of Caravaggio, Rubens, and Velazquez.
Palazzo Nuovo
As some could have guessed from its name, this palace is the most recently added to the complex of Piazza del Campidoglio. It was built in the 17th century and is a copy of the Palace of the Conservators. Today, it hosts statues of Ancient Rome and Greece.
All three museums are part of Capitoline museum. Every exhibition has same opening hours and are included in the ticket you purchase to visit the Capitoline museums
- Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, from 9 am to 8 pm
- Tickets: adults – 15 euros, EU citizens (18-25) – 13 euros, first Sunday of each month – free entry
Basilica of St. Mary of the Altar of Heaven
Finally, the Basilica of St. Mary of the Altar of Heaven (Santa Maria in Ara Coeli) was built on the place of the temple of Juno Moneta. Initially, it used to be a Greek monastery, then it belonged to Franciscan and Benedictine monastic orders, who completed and consecrated it in 1921. Special attention should be given to the wooden ceiling, the image of Madonna Aracoeli (Our Lady of the Golden Hands), and the wooden statue of the Santo Bambino of Aracoeli (“Holy Boy of Aracoeli or “Child Jesus of Aracoeli”) that believed to have some powers.
- Opening hours: Everyday 9:00 to 17:30
- Tickets: free entrance
Read also about the main tourist attractions to see in Rome.
Interesting facts
- The statue of Marcus Aurelius which stands right in the middle of the Capitoline square was miraculously saved during the great purge against paganism. This is only due to the fact that the face of Marcus Aurelius’ statue greatly resembled that of emperor Constantine.
- On the territory of the temple of Juno Moneta, silver coins were minted. New monetary units carried the face of the Goddess June Moneta, for which were called money.
- The legend says that the famous statue of the Capitoline wolf, she-wolf suckling the mythical brothers Romulus and Remus, was made by Etruscans (civilization of ancient Italy) in the 5th century BC. However, soon scientists established that it was made in the Middle Ages.
- The Capitoline square has the shape of a trapezoid. This way, Michelangelo made it visually open to the city and its citizens.
- The complex of the Capitoline Museums is full of hidden symbols that to this day puzzle scientists and art historians.
How to get
You can get to the Capitoline hill quite easily. Capitoline hill is in 20 min. walk distance from the Colosseum, not far from Roman Forum and Piazza Venezia
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