The Capitoline Hill
Less than five minutes' walk from the Vittoriano, the Capitoline Hill is Rome's smallest but historically most important hill: in antiquity the seat of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, in the Middle Ages the centre of civic government, and today the seat of Rome City Hall.
Piazza del Campidoglio was designed by Michelangelo from 1536 on the commission of Pope Paul III, but completed only in the seventeenth century. The oval paving with its star pattern, the two lateral museums (Capitoline Museums), the central fountain with Marcus Aurelius (a copy; the original is protected inside the Museums), the gently rising Cordonata staircase: everything is designed to astonish.
The Capitoline Museums (approximately €15, reductions available) hold the most important collection of ancient sculpture in the world after the Vatican: the Dying Gaul, the Capitoline Wolf, imperial portraits, the sarcophagus of Alexander Severus.
The terrace at the rear of the Capitoline (Belvedere del Tarpeo), freely accessible, opens a direct view over the Roman Forum.
The Via Sacra and the Roman Forum
From the Capitoline terrace, it is possible to descend towards the Roman Forum via the Via Sacra. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (single ticket ~€18, includes the Colosseum) form the most important archaeological site in the ancient centre. A full visit is not necessary to appreciate the scene: even from outside, along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the essentials can be grasped.
Palazzo Venezia
Directly facing Piazza Venezia, opposite the Vittoriano, Palazzo Venezia (14th–15th centuries) is one of Rome's earliest Renaissance palaces. From its balcony, Mussolini addressed the crowds below. Today it houses the Museo di Palazzo Venezia, with a fine collection of decorative arts: ceramics, tapestries, medieval bronzes, sculpture. Entry approximately €10.
The Theatre of Marcellus
About 10 minutes' walk to the south, the Theatre of Marcellus (13 BC) is the precursor of the Colosseum: the same layered arcaded structure, the same stone, the same audience circulation scheme. The theatre could hold between 11,000 and 20,000 spectators. Surviving as a medieval fortress and then a Renaissance palace (the Savelli family, later the Orsini), it houses private apartments on the upper floors today. The exterior can be viewed free of charge.
The Portico of Octavia and the Jewish Ghetto
Adjacent to the Theatre of Marcellus, the Portico of Octavia (27 BC, restored by Augustus) is one of the few surviving remains of the Augustan monumental complex. It connects ideally with the Jewish Ghetto of Rome, Europe's oldest Jewish community (documented from the 2nd century BC), whose historic quarter extends a few minutes' walk to the west.
Suggested Itinerary
| Stop | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Vittoriano (crypt + terrace) | 1h | Free + ~€7 |
| Capitoline Hill + terrace | 30 min | Free |
| Capitoline Museums | 1.5–2h | ~€15 |
| Palazzo Venezia | 45 min | ~€10 |
| Theatre of Marcellus (exterior) | 10 min | Free |
| Portico of Octavia | 10 min | Free |
With a Private Driver
Reach the Capitoline Hill and Vittoriano by private driver. From your hotel, airport or station — direct and on time. Service from €49. → Book at myromedriver.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Capitoline Museums and the Vittoriano be visited comfortably in the same day? Yes, but it is advisable to dedicate the whole morning to the Capitoline Museums (at least 1.5 hours) and the afternoon to the Vittoriano with its terrace. The reverse order works equally well.
Is the Capitoline Hill accessible to disabled visitors? The Cordonata (the gentle ramp designed by Michelangelo) is step-free. The Capitoline Museums have lifts. The rear terrace is accessible.
Article no. 187 — TIER S — MON-10 Altare della Patria / Vittoriano Type: PRACTICAL Words: ~620