Overview:

The Capitoline Hill is the most famous of Rome's seven hills and is situated between the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. It is one of the most ancient parts of the city and served as the civic and ceremonial center of Rome. The area is dominated by the two imposing marble buildings, the Capitoline Museum and the Capitoline Temple, as well as the focal point of the city's religious ceremonies which took place in the temple. It was also home to the office of Rome's pontifex maximus, the chief priest of the Roman Republic. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Italy
Prominent Features:

1. Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus - one of the most important temples of ancient Rome, built in the 6th century BC on the top of Capitoline Hill. 2. Capitoline Museums - founded in 1734, with art collections from Antiquity (especially ancient Roman and Greek sculptures), collections of coins, medals and other artifacts. 3. Tabularium - the ancient Roman office located on the lower slopes of the Capitoline Hill, which housed the Roman archives and state records. 4. Piazza del Campidoglio - popular square designed by Michelangelo, featuring a central bronze Statue of Marcus Aurelius. 5. Lii Vittorini - a monumental staircase designed by Giuseppe Valadier, which connects the Piazza del Campidoglio to the Roman Forum. 6. Palazzo dei Conservatori - the official residence of the Pope’s delegates, which is now a museum, with collections of ancient paintings and sculptures. 7. Statue of Marcus Aurelius - the noteworthy equestrian bronze statue that was made in the 2nd century AD and is located in the centre of the Piazza del Campidoglio. 8. Arco di Settimo Severo - the ancient Roman arch located at the northern side of Capitoline Hill, which was built in 203 AD by Septimius Severus. 9. Bocca della Verita - an ancient Roman limestone relief, depicting the mouth of Truth, located at the southern side of the Capitoline Hill. 10. Santa Maria in Aracoeli - a magnificient basilica built in the 12th century and located at the Alban Mount, overlooking the Roman Forum and the Capitoline Hill. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Italy.

History:

The Capitoline Hill, the smallest of the seven hills of Rome in Italy, has a long and complex history. It is believed that its earliest inhabitants were the Etruscans, a civilization before the Romans. Later, during the late 6th century BCE, it was the site of the Roman Republic’s first temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, the most powerful of the gods of their religion. A number of other temples were built over the centuries, and it was the location of the Senate House. It was also the site of a major battle in the civil wars of 49-45 BCE, in which Octavian, who would later become Caesar Augustus, defeated the forces of Pompey the Great. As a result of this battle, Octavian was made the first ruler of the Roman Empire. In the years that followed, the Capitoline Hill was host to some of the most important events in the entire Roman Empire. Julius Caesar celebrated his Roman triumph there in 46 BCE. Later, Augustus placed a memorial altar to the gods in the center of the hill, which is known today as the Capitoline Wolf. It is from this religious ceremony that the hill gets its name – “Capitolinus” meaning “of the head of the gods”. The Capitoline Hill eventually became the main political center of ancient Rome. It is the site of the ancient Forum, the area where the Roman Senate held its meetings and debates. In the Middle Ages, it was further developed with the construction of a massive palace, known as the Palazzo dei Conservatori, and a vast piazza. Today, the Capitoline Hill is a popular tourist destination, home to the iconic Capitoline Museums and a number of other important ancient monuments. Many of these ancient ruins and artifacts are still visible, testifying to the rich history of this legendary hill. Visit one of the famous monuments of Italy with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Capitoline Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome, and lies between the Forum and the Campus Martius. 2. It was the citadel of the earliest Romans and is the location of the ancient Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus. 3. The Capitoline Hill was an important religious and political centre in the days of the Roman Republic and Empire. 4. The sacred area at the top of the hill was 1/3 of a hectare in size, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. 5. The hill is home to the Capitoline Museums, which contain an important collection of art, coins and ancient artefacts. 6. There is also a copy of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, made in the 18th century. 7. The Capitoline Hill is connected to the Palatine Hill by the University of Rome's staircase, the Cordonata, built in 1733 by Pope Clement XII. 8. The hill is symbolic with the Roman god, Jupiter, who was venerated as Jupiter Optimus Maximus, 'best and greatest'. 9. The hill hosted the first games of the Capitoline Games, which were held in honour of Jupiter between 493 and 31 BC. 10. The Capitoline Hill is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Rome, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city. One of the historical monuments of Italy, it tells the story of a bygone era