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(Capitolium). From a 12C guide book "Mirabilia Romae":
"The Capitol was the head of the world, where the consuls and senators abode to govern the earth."
And the US Congress building stole its name, the Capitol, from here.
In 1536 Michelangelo designed this magnificent stage set to crown the Capitoline, smallest of Ancient Rome's 7 hills, but the most important since it was the seat of power.
From busy Piazza Aracoeli you mount Michelangelo's graciously sloping stairs (the Cordonato) and step off into the sudden hush of his geometrically-delineated piazza, with his three low and harmonious buildings as a dramatic background.
Michelangelo was inspired by the two millennia of Rome's glorious history that revolved around this hilltop. Being a sculptor, he used it to showcase great Classical Roman statues, notably the equestrian one in the center of Emperor Marcus Aurelius apparently in amicable conversation with the populace.
And the US Congress building stole its name, the Capitol, from here.
In 1536 Michelangelo designed this magnificent stage set to crown the Capitoline, smallest of Ancient Rome's 7 hills, but the most important since it was the seat of power.
From busy Piazza Aracoeli you mount Michelangelo's graciously sloping stairs (the Cordonato) and step off into the sudden hush of his geometrically-delineated piazza, with his three low and harmonious buildings as a dramatic background.
Michelangelo was inspired by the two millennia of Rome's glorious history that revolved around this hilltop. Being a sculptor, he used it to showcase great Classical Roman statues, notably the equestrian one in the center of Emperor Marcus Aurelius apparently in amicable conversation with the populace.
Short history of Piazza del Campidoglio
6C BC. Two centuries after Rome's founding on this and the adjacent Palatine Hill, the enormous Temple of Jupiter was built here, making it the holiest part of this holy city. Traitors were hurled from the hill, including a woman who let the Sabines into Rome.
166 AD. An unknown sculptor produced this bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor and philosopher, in the fifth year of his rule (161-180). He was the Ancient Roman who best typified that perfection we call "the Renaissance Man," and he must have seemed like a brother to Michelangelo fifteen centuries later.
Middle Ages. Unlike most similar statues, the bronze Marcus Aurelius escaped being melted down for scrap by the Popes. Thinking it was Constantine the Great, Rome's first Christian emperor, they placed it beside Rome's Cathedral, St. John of Lateran.
1536. Pope Paul III Farnese decided to flatter the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, by according him a triumphal procession of the kind enjoyed by the victorious generals of ancient Rome. Charles had just triumphed over the infidels in North Africa, but the wily Pope probably seized the opportunity in order to placate this natural enemy of Papal power, the Holy Roman Emperor. It also served to efface memories of the Sack of Rome of 1527 when Charles' troops defeated and imprisoned the previous Pope, Clement VII Medici. Embarrassed by the wretched appearance of Rome, Pope Paul asked Michelangelo, who was busy painting the "Last Judgment" in the Sistine Chapel, to beautify the final destination of the Emperor's triumphal procession, the Capitoline hill, (which for good reason was then known as the "Hill of the Goats"). The only part of Michelangelo's grand design that was ready in time for the imperial Triumph was the graceful base he sculpted for Marcus Aurelius and his horse. His revolutionary plan turned the square's entrance toward St. Peter's.
1564. Michelangelo died, and only the double staircase at the back of the square had been built. The other elements of his master plan were finally completed a couple of centuries later.
How to reach Piazza del Capidoglio – Municipality of Rome166 AD. An unknown sculptor produced this bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor and philosopher, in the fifth year of his rule (161-180). He was the Ancient Roman who best typified that perfection we call "the Renaissance Man," and he must have seemed like a brother to Michelangelo fifteen centuries later.
Middle Ages. Unlike most similar statues, the bronze Marcus Aurelius escaped being melted down for scrap by the Popes. Thinking it was Constantine the Great, Rome's first Christian emperor, they placed it beside Rome's Cathedral, St. John of Lateran.
1536. Pope Paul III Farnese decided to flatter the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, by according him a triumphal procession of the kind enjoyed by the victorious generals of ancient Rome. Charles had just triumphed over the infidels in North Africa, but the wily Pope probably seized the opportunity in order to placate this natural enemy of Papal power, the Holy Roman Emperor. It also served to efface memories of the Sack of Rome of 1527 when Charles' troops defeated and imprisoned the previous Pope, Clement VII Medici. Embarrassed by the wretched appearance of Rome, Pope Paul asked Michelangelo, who was busy painting the "Last Judgment" in the Sistine Chapel, to beautify the final destination of the Emperor's triumphal procession, the Capitoline hill, (which for good reason was then known as the "Hill of the Goats"). The only part of Michelangelo's grand design that was ready in time for the imperial Triumph was the graceful base he sculpted for Marcus Aurelius and his horse. His revolutionary plan turned the square's entrance toward St. Peter's.
1564. Michelangelo died, and only the double staircase at the back of the square had been built. The other elements of his master plan were finally completed a couple of centuries later.
Depart from Piazza dei Cinquecento – Termini Station. Take the bus number 64, 84, or 170 and get out at Piazza Venezia stop. Piazza Campidoglio is about 200 meters malk.