Piazza del Campidoglio

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Map

Aerial View of Piazza del Campidoglio

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Surrounded on three sides by grand palaces, the Piazza del Campidoglio is one of the most beautiful civic spaces in Rome. 

The Piazza del Campidoglio was designed by Michelangelo, who added the balustrade on the open side and the Cordonata, the stepped ramp leading up to it.  

Statues of Castor and Pollux

The colossal statues of Castor and Pollux were unearthed in the 16th century. To either side of them are the so-called 'Trophies of Marius'. The statues of the emperor Constantine the Great and his son Constantine II come from the Baths of Constantine on the Quirinal Hill, while the columns at each end of the balustrade were the first and seventh milestones of the Via Appia. 

Equestrian Statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius & Palazzo Senatorio

At the back of the piazza is the Palazzo Senatorio, while on either side stands the Palazzo dei Conservatori (south) and the Palazzo Nuovo. 

The Palazzo Senatorio (Senatorial Palace), which sits atop the ancient Tabularium (1st century BCE), dates back to the 12th century when it was the seat of the senate of the comune (city council) of Rome. It remains the official seat of Rome's mayor. In the middle of the 16th century (1547-54), the original medieval building was partly remodelled by Michelangelo (1475-1564), who added the double flight of stairs.

Palazzo dei Conservatori

The Palazzo dei Conservatori dates back to the 15th century, but its facade is the work of Michelangelo. The Palazzo Nuovo, whose facade is almost a replica of that of Palazzo dei Conservatori, was not built until the middle of the 17th century. 

Palazzo Nuovo

In the centre of the square, on a base designed by Michelangelo, stands the bronze equestrian statue of the emperor Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180). The statue is a copy; the original is on display in the Musei Capitolini, the museum that is housed in the two side palaces. 

Michelangelo's distinctive design for the pavement of the piazza wasn't realised until 1940. ​​​

The Goddess Roma Flanked by Two River Gods

At the base of Palazzo Senatorio sits an ancient porphyry statue of the goddess Roma, which is flanked by two antique river gods, the Nile and the Tigris, which were unearthed on the Quirinal hill. 

Statue of the Goddess Roma

Minerva has been transformed into the goddess Roma, while the Tigris has been turned into the Tiber. The tiger became a she-wolf, with the addition of Romulus and Remus.   ​

Ancient Roman Statue of a River God

The bell tower, which was designed by Martino Longhi the Elder, was added to the Palazzo Senatorio in 1582. It is crowned with a statue of Minerva. 

Bell tower

The bell tower, which is known as the Torre della Patrina, once housed an ancient bell, known as the patrina, which was stolen from the city of Viterbo, and installed in 1200. The patarina was rung to summon the people to a parlamento. At the beginning of the 19th century, the patarina was replaced by two bells, which are normally only rung on the election of a new mayor and on Rome's birthday (April 21st). ​

Statue of Minerva, Bell Tower

One of the many plaques on the Palazzo Senatorio records the results of the plebiscite that was held on October 2nd 1870 following the capture of Rome on September 20th by the forces of the Kingdom of Italy. 

Plaque Marking the Results of the Plebiscite of October 2nd 1870

The citizens who were entitled to vote were asked whether they wanted Rome to become a part of the Kingdom of Italy. As the plaque notes 40,785 voted in favour, 46 voted against. ​

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