Capitoline Hill

At the bottom of the Capitoline Hill you can see a famous “Altar of the Fatherland”. It’s a huge white monumental complex which reminds the Italians of the unification of Italy. The monument was built in 1911 but the Italians didn’t like it and called it “typewriter” and “wedding cake”.

In the centre of the complex you can see eternal flame and a guard to the honour of victims of World War I. If you climb the staircase you you can enjoy a fabulous view over the city. But you can enjoy even more fabulous view if you take glass elevator and reach the uppermost terrace “Rome from the Sky” («Roma dal Ceilo»).

Capitoline Hill

Now let us walk down in order to move up to Piazza del Campidoglio. The access to the Piazza is through flat steps that are decorated with sculpture of two lions and lead to the sculpture of twin warriors. Both the staircase and the square were designed by Michelangelo. The staircase was designed in a way for the Rome’s aristocracy to be able to ride up to the Capitoline Hill.

The square contains 3 palaces two of which were also designed by Michelangelo and constructed by his disciples. The palaces are homes for the Capitoline Museums. The Museums date back to 1471 and considered to be the oldest museums in the world. Though we didn’t visit them I think you should have information about them.

In the middle of the square there is a replica of the statue of the emperor Marcus Aurelius. The sculpture was held in regard because the Christians thought to depict Emperor Constantine.

Also on the Capitoline Hill we saw a sculpture of a she-wolf suckling twin infants, which is regarded as a symbol of Rome. In addition, from the Hill you can enjoy breathtaking view on the Roman Forum.