Piazza del Campidoglio is one of the most important places in Rome. You can find the Piazza sitting right on top of Capitol Hill, one of Rome’s famous seven hills.
Piazza del Campidoglio is dominated today by three magnificent palazzos, an exquisitely designed square, and a flight of elegantly designed stair leading to the Piazza.
The Romans consider the place as the center of cosmopolitan Rome. You can find the seat of modern Italian government here while the ancients revered Jupiter and other divinities on this hill.
Master Strokes of Michelangelo
You will be able to witness the master strokes of Michelangelo at the Piazza del Campidoglio. That’s because the Italian master designed the entire Campidoglio that you can see now.
The enormous stairway was Michelangelo’s as well as the intricate artistic design of the square. The palazzos surrounding the square as well as the monuments and statues at the Piazza have Michelangelo’s imprints on them.
When you visit the Piazza del Campidoglio, you will surely be treated to a spectacle of masterful designs of a world-renowned Italian artist.
Enjoying the Cordonata
You can access the Piazza del Campidoglio through the Cordonata. This is a long and wonderful staircase. It starts from the bottom of the Capitol Hill and leads to the main square.
You will find granite Egyptian lion statues at the foot of the Cordonata. At the summit of the Cordonata, the statues of Castor and Pollux stand guard. These statues have classical designs serving notice that you are about to enter the home of Roman government.
You will also find the statue of Marcus Aurelius riding a horse at the center of the square. This statue however is just a replica. You can find the original statue inside the Palazzo Nuovo.
The Palazzos of the Piazza
1. Palazzo Nuovo
Immediately to your left is the Palazzo Nuovo. It houses one of the Capitoline Museums. You will be able to find the commanding statues of Mars and Minerva inside this museum.
You can also see classical sculptures here like the Dying Gaul and the original Marcus Aurelius.
2. Palazzo Senatorio
If you come from the Cordonata, the building in front is the Palazzo Senatorio. The Senatorio is actually sitting on top of the ancient Tabularium. It is now the seat of the central government of the city.
3. Palazzo dei Conservatori
The building to your right is the Palazzo dei Conservatori. This is also part of the Capitoline Museums complex. You should not fail to visit this museum.
You can find the sculpture of Remus and Romulus suckling a she-wolf inside the Conservatori. You can also find the remaining pieces of the monolithic statue of Emperor Constantine here.
How to Get to Palazzo del Campidoglio
From the Termini Station, you can take a bus ride going to the Piazza. You must catch bus number 40 and 64 so you can get off near the Cordonata.
You can also take the Metro going to the Piazza. Take the Metro B line and get off at the Colosseo. You can now walk from this station to the Piazza which will take less than 10 minutes.
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