The Capitoline Hill, Campidoglio e Palazzo Senatorio. 

One of the seven famous hills of Rome, and the acropolis and religious centre of the ancient city. The modern piazza, at 50 metres, is situated between two summits occupied in antiquity by
two temples: the Temple of Juno Moneta (the present site of Santa Maria d'Aracoeli) and the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. There are three approaches to the hill: to the left, by a steep flight of stairs leading to the church; to the right, by the winding carriage ramp -Via delle Tre Pile; in the middle. by way of the monumental Cordonata (the easiest ascent), designed by Michelangelo (1536). with two Egyptian lions at the bottom. Two ornamental gardens run alongside the Cordonata: half way up. to the left. is the Monument to Cola di Rienzo, marking the spot from which he addressed the people following the victorious revolt against the Papacy in 1354. At the top of the stairs, on the balustrade. the majestic statues of Castor and Pollux, and other ancient statues, trophies and milestones.

 Designed by Michelangelo (1536), who was commissioned to prepare the Capitoline hill for Karl V's visit. The piazza is small in size but grandiose in formulation. It is bounded by three stately palaces: at the furthest end, the Palazzo Senatorio; to the right, the Palazzo dei Conservatori; and to the left, the Palazzo del Museo Capitolino. In 1538 the splendid Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius (II cent. A.D.) was moved here from Piazza del Laterano. It is the only equestrian statue from the Imperial age to have come down to us. Now being restored, it will probably be substituted with a copy.

On the site where the ancient Roman Senate met - hence the name. Today the palace is the official seat of the Mayor of Rome. It is a magnificent Renaissance construction by Giacomo della Porta and Girolamo Rainaldi. The fine double staircase was designed by Michelangelo. The fountain, surmounted by a niche with the statue of Rome, is flanked by statues of the Tiber and the
Nile. Above the palace, with its majestic windows and crowning balustrade, rises the Capitoline Tower, by M. Longhi the Elder (1580). Inside, in the council room, there is a large statue of Julius Caesar, from the Trajan period.

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