The Palatine Hill is the central of the seven main hills in Rome. Despite its height of about 40 meters, it is curious with objects of historical and archaeological value. Time has seriously affected their condition, but even the ruins of ancient civilization will broaden the outlook of travelers who decide to climb the hill. Classification and a brief description of the Palatine structures – below.
Table of Contents:
1. Imperial Palaces of Rome
2. Palatine Ruins
3. Interesting Facts
4. Centuries Old Temples
5. Historic Churches on Palatine Hill
6. How to Get to the Palatine Hill
Imperial Palaces of Rome
1. Palace of the Flavians
An impressive structure on the Palatine hill with several large halls, often written about by the poets of ancient Rome. The three-nave basilica was used for court sessions, and the throne room of the palace on the hill, which had dimensions of 30 by 39 meters, is also noteworthy. In the room near the throne room, the Emperor of Rome provided a place to worship the household gods.
2. House of Livia
An ancient Palatine building associated with the name of Emperor Augustus (by his wife). It was built at the end of the first century BC. On the walls of the house are preserved images of frescoes dedicated to the characters of myths.
3. The House of the Vulture and the House of Skauro
The ruins on the hill give a rough idea of the conditions in which the rich of ancient Rome lived on the Palatine.
4. House of Tiberius and the palace of Caligula
A walk to the west side of the Palatine will reveal the ruins of a brick masonry palace built under Tiberius. Caligula, who had the honor of disposing of the building afterwards, enlarged its dimensions. Alas, only legends remain of the former scale of the Domus Tiberiana, passed down from generation to generation by the people of Rome. The Farnese Gardens, created on the site of the former complex, prevent you from exploring the Palatine Hill site properly.
5. The Palace of Septimius Severus
A structure of gigantic size, the ruins of which do not convey even 50% of the original idea. Huge arches of brick with massive ceilings visually increased the area of Palatine. The upper tier gives an opportunity to enjoy the impressive panorama of Rome from the hill.
6. Palace of the Augustans
One of the two sites on the hill that made up Octavian’s imperial complex. Domus Augustana was the personal residence of the Emperor of Rome. It was a two-story building with an adjoining palace and garden.
Palatine Ruins
The Palatine, in addition to the previously mentioned, contains ruins of other structures of ancient Rome:
1. Stadium
There is an opinion that in one part of the hill they held competitions of athletes and entertained honest people. According to the opposite point of view, the territory was allocated for the garden of the emperors of Rome. One side of the Palatine Stadium had a box for honored guests.
2. Cryptoporticus
Scientists believe that Caligula was involved in the creation of the underground gallery, and the decorations of the object in the form of bas-reliefs were created in Rome under Nero. Palatine was deprived of the originals – in their place placed copies.
3. Aqua Claudia
Aqueduct, created in ancient Rome for the sake of supplying the city with water. Its erection began on Palatine during the reign of Caligula, and Claudius summed it up in 52. The preservation of the object on the hill to this day was helped by the restoration made by order of Titus.
4. Nympheum Septizonius
An antique monumental fountain of the Palatine. Included 7 tiers, statues and marbles were used for decoration. Niches and rows of columns provided a majestic appearance. The object was destroyed in the XVI century on the order of the pontiff, who decided to send part of the stones for the construction of religious objects of Rome, and the rest to use to strengthen the hill.
5. The Thermae of the North and the Thermae of Maxentius
On the Palatine there are ruins of ancient thermae, which confirm the impressive scale of the buildings. Baths in Rome had the role of centers of social life.
6. Pedagogium
On the hill there was a school for training slaves. According to the extant elements we can conclude that the walls in the rooms were covered with mosaics.
7. The triumphal arch of Titus
Palatine is the site of a one-bay arch, which appeared in Rome as a reminder of the capture of Jerusalem.
Interesting Facts About the Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill, according to a very popular hypothesis, is directly linked to the emergence of Rome. The debate on this issue is still ongoing, but archaeologists assure that they managed to find a dwelling of the eighth century BC. On the hill Palatine could live the founder of Rome or a shepherd who took custody of the twins, who were rescued by a she-wolf.
It is interesting that the word “lupa” was used not only in relation to wolves, but also to women of easy behavior.
It is possible that one of the priestesses of love helped the newborns by sheltering them on the hill.
Another curious discovery about the history of the Palatine dates back to 2007: scientists in Rome announced the discovery of a grotto with decorations under the House of Augustus. A probe-camera helped to detail the picture and explore the hill at a depth of more than 10 meters.
The street Clivo della Vittoria had the status of the main street on the Palatine. It was named after the temple of victory built before Christ. Via Nova and Via Sacra also had a special significance for the organization of the hill and the surrounding areas of Rome.
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Temples with Centuries of History
1. Jupiter Stator
The Temple of Palatine, about which only fragmentary information has been gathered. The building appears to include elements of the foundation on one of the edges of the hill.
2. Victoria
To the erection of the religious building of Rome in honor of the goddess began in the fourth century BC. For the study of scientists available to a small fragment of the foundation.
3. The Sun
It was built on the Palatine during the reign of Elagabalus. The solar Syrian god received much less recognition among the inhabitants of Rome than Jupiter. However, there were many sacred sites on the Palatine hill. The foundation is the researchers’ only clue.
4. Cybele
One of the oldest temples on Palatine Hill and in all of Rome. It is quite curious that the work on its restoration dates back to the third century BC. Believers of the cult believed that Kibela is able not only to give life, but also to take it away from a person if necessary. The goddess ruled nature, brought balance between good and evil. In the days of ancient Rome, the rites on the territory of the hill, dedicated to Kibela, differed in scale.
5. Apollo
The place of the temple on the hill of Rome, according to legend, was chosen by Augustus not by chance – lightning struck here, which was interpreted as a mystical sign. Because of the fire, only some elements of the temple have survived to this day in a ruined state.
Not far from the ruins of this Palatine temple was the site where the servants came before an important event for Rome. Their task was to watch the birds from the hill and form further predictions. The augurs decided whether the gods agreed with the plans of the people. A very honorable position in those days, by the way.
Historic Churches on Palatine Hill
1. San Bonaventura
The building of Rome belongs to the Franciscans. The church and monastery, named in honor of the greatest theologian, decorated the hill in the XVII century. The restoration of 1840 helped to keep the appearance of the object in acceptable condition.
2. Santa Maria Antica
The popularity of the building on the hill was brought by the wall paintings created during the early Middle Ages. Due to the high physical deterioration, regular restoration activities are carried out to restore the load-bearing capacity. Tourists walking on Palatine Hill are let in on a strict schedule.
3. San Sebastian
The church on the Palatine, which, according to legend, was built on the site of a pagan temple destroyed during the period of increased support for Christianity in Rome. Restoration took place in the 17th century, but there are no original frescoes on Palatine Hill.
Palatine is important for the history of Rome: it is associated with the founding of the Eternal City, and played a great importance for believers in various cults who gathered here to communicate with the gods. A visit to the ruins of the hill is a must if you want to learn facts about ancient Rome that do not always make it to the pages of encyclopedias.
How to Get to the Palatine Hill
There are three ways to get there:
- on foot from the Roman Forum
- from via Sacra – through the Arch of Triumph of Titus
- from Via San Gregorio – via the original portico
A single ticket gives travelers vacationing in Rome the opportunity to see the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine in one tour! You can book your ticket in advance at this link.
Tourists who find themselves in Rome on the first Sunday of the month can appreciate the sights of Palatine Hill without buying tickets. In order not to get lost and find all the objects of interest, guests are given a map. The Palatine has a museum with artifacts found while exploring the hill.
In addition, the observation decks allow you to see the beauty of Rome in a new way. The Palatine is sure to be an enjoyable experience.
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