Piazza Del Campidoglio - Piazzas of Italy by Ultimate Italy

Piazza Del Campidoglio

Piazza del Campidoglio is located on the top of the Capitoline Hill, which is one of the seven hills, which make up Rome.

Pope Paul III (Farnese) decided to reshape the Capitoline Hill and make it an important city square or piazza. For this he engaged the services of the famous renaissance artist and sculptor Michel Angelo. The hill was a sacred site in antiquity but remained in neglect. In the medieval times it was transformed into the seat for secular governments and Roman guilds. It was in a bad condition but Michel Angelo transformed it into one of the modern wonders of urban planning. He took charge in transforming it into a dynamic new center of political life. Although the renovation project started in 1598 it was completed long after the death of Michel Angelo. The project proceeded very slowly and was completed in many stages with frequent interruptions. It was finally completed in the 17th century. However Etienne Duperac preserves Michel Angelo’s original design in engravings from the 1560’s.

This piazza is built in the style of Italian renaissance. It has an elliptical courtyard with a central figure sculpture. The classically perfect marble staircase was designed by Michel Angelo but completed after his death. It is known as the Cordonata. At the foot of the stairs there are two statues of Egyptian lions and at the top of the stairs there are two classical statues of Castor and Pollux. At the center of the square there is a replica of the statue of Marcus Aurelius as the original statue is in Piazza Nuovo. The Palazzo Senatorio is the central building in the piazza. Until 1870 it functioned as the seat of the Senate after which it became the seat of the city of Rome. It is situated at the south when you approach it from the Piazza Venezia. This piazza is in front of the Capitoline museum.

A nighttime visit to Piazza del Campidoglio is highly recommended.