Piazza del Campidoglio — Attraction in Rome

Ancient HistoryEdit

At this hill, the Sabines, creeping to the Citadel, were let in by the Roman maiden Tarpeia. For this, she was the first to suffer the punishment for treachery of being flung from a steep cliff overlooking the Roman Forum. This cliff was later named the Tarpeian Rock after the Vestal Virgin, and became a frequent execution site. The Sabines, who immigrated to Rome following the Rape of the Sabine Women, settled on the Capitoline.[3] The Vulcanal (Shrine of Vulcan), an 8th-century sacred precinct, occupied much of the eastern lower slopes of the Capitoline, at the head of what would later become the Roman Forum. The summit was the site of a temple for the Capitoline Triad, started by Rome's fifth king, Tarquinius Priscus (r. 616-579 BC), and completed by the seventh and last king,Tarquinius Superbus (535–496 BC). It was considered one of the largest and the most beautiful temples in the city (although little now remains). The city legend starts with the recovery of a human skull (the word for head in Latin is caput) when foundation trenches were being dug for the Temple of Jupiter at Tarquin's order. Recent excavations on the Capitoline uncovered an early cemetery under the Temple of Jupiter.[4] There are several important temples built on Capitoline hill: the temple of Juno Moneta, the temple of Virtus, and the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Capitolinus. The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Capitolinus is the most important of the temples. It was built in 509 BC and was nearly as large as the Parthenon. The hill and the temple of Jupiter became the symbols of Rome, the capital of the world.[5]

When the Senones Gauls (settled in central-east Italy) raided Rome in 390 BC, after the battle of River Allia, the Capitoline Hill was the one section of the city to evade capture by the barbarians, due to its being fortified by the Roman defenders.[6] According to legend Marcus Manlius Capitolinus was alerted to the Gallic attack by the sacred geese of Juno. When Julius Caesar suffered an accident during his triumph, clearly indicating the wrath of Jupiter for his actions in the Civil Wars, he approached the hill and Jupiter's temple on his knees as a way of averting the unlucky omen (nevertheless he was murdered six months later, and Brutus and his other assassins locked themselves inside the temple afterward).[7] Vespasian's brother and nephew were also besieged in the temple during theYear of Four Emperors (69).

The Tabularium, located underground beneath the piazza and hilltop, occupies a building of the same name built in the 1st century BC to hold Roman records of state. The Tabularium looks out from the rear onto the Roman Forum. The main attraction of the Tabularium, besides the structure itself, is the Temple of Veiovis. During the lengthy period of ancient Rome, the Capitoline Hill was the geographical and ceremonial center. However, by the Renaissance, the former center was an untidy conglomeration of dilapidated buildings and the site of criminal...

The Piazza del Campidoglio is one of the most renowned squares in Rome, designed by the legendary Renaissance artist and architect Michelangelo Buonarroti. It is located on the Capitoline Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome, and serves as a masterpiece of urban design that harmoniously blends architecture, sculpture, and history.

Key Features of Piazza del Campidoglio

Historical Context: • Commissioned by Pope Paul III Farnese in the 1530s, the redesign of the Capitoline Hill was intended to symbolize the revival of Rome as the capital of the world and a key center of the Catholic Church. • Michelangelo’s design transformed the irregular medieval site into an elegant and symmetrical piazza, showcasing Renaissance ideals of order and harmony.

Layout and Architecture: • The piazza is an elliptical-shaped square, with a starburst pattern in the paving, designed to draw attention to the central statue. • It is flanked by three palaces: • Palazzo Senatorio: The central building, originally a Roman tabularium (archives), serves as the seat of the Rome City Council. • Palazzo dei Conservatori: Houses the Capitoline Museums, featuring Roman art and artifacts. • Palazzo Nuovo: Also part of the Capitoline Museums, displaying ancient sculptures.

Central Statue: • At the center of the piazza stands the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, a replica of the original ancient bronze statue now preserved in the Capitoline Museums. • The statue honors the Roman emperor and reflects Michelangelo’s emphasis on ancient Roman glory.

The Cordonata: • The Cordonata Capitolina, the sloping staircase designed by Michelangelo, provides a grand entrance to the piazza from the city below. • It is flanked by statues of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) at the top, symbolizing protection and strength.

Symbolism and Renaissance Vision: • The piazza’s orientation, facing St. Peter’s Basilica instead of the Roman Forum, represents a deliberate shift in focus from ancient pagan Rome to the Christian and Renaissance vision of the city. • Michelangelo’s innovative use of perspective, symmetry, and classical elements creates a sense of unity and grandeur.

Modern Significance: • The Piazza del Campidoglio remains a hub of civic and cultural activity, attracting tourists, historians, and art enthusiasts. • It is also the location of the Capitoline Museums, the world’s oldest public museum, established in 1471.

The Piazza del Campidoglio is a triumph of Renaissance design and a symbol of Rome’s rich historical and cultural heritage, seamlessly blending the legacy of ancient Rome with the vision of the...

Piazza del Campidoglio (often anglicized as Capitoline Hill Square) is one of the most elegant and historically significant squares in Rome.

Location & Significance • Located on Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio in Italian), one of the Seven Hills of Rome, and historically the political and religious heart of the ancient city. • Overlooks the Roman Forum and is near Piazza Venezia, making it a central point for visitors exploring ancient Rome.

Designed by Michelangelo • In 1536, Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned by Pope Paul III to redesign the square. • The trapezoidal shape, geometric star pattern on the pavement, and the elegant symmetry were revolutionary and symbolized a shift from medieval to Renaissance urban design.

Key Buildings Around the Square Palazzo Senatorio – The central building at the rear, which still serves as the seat of Rome’s city government. Palazzo dei Conservatori – To the right; houses part of the Capitoline Museums (sculpture and artifacts). Palazzo Nuovo – To the left; also part of the Capitoline Museums (Roman busts and statuary).

The Statue in the Center • A bronze equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, which symbolizes Rome’s imperial glory. • The current statue is a replica; the original is preserved inside the Capitoline Museums to protect it from...