On the Palatine Hill (Palatino) — where Rome was born and where its emperors chose to live — two extraordinary treasures lie hidden: the House of Augustus and the House of Livia. These were the residences of Rome's first emperor and his wife, decorated with some of the best-preserved frescoes in all of Roman antiquity. Far from the grandeur of the palaces that followed, they reveal a power still "restrained" in form yet revolutionary in substance. To visit them is, quite literally, to step inside the home of Augustus and Livia.
History: Augustus and the Palatine
Augustus (Gaius Octavian), Rome's first emperor, chose to live on the Palatine, close to the legendary hut of Romulus — a gesture loaded with symbolic meaning. His house, and his wife Livia's, were dwellings of relatively modest appearance, yet enriched with wall paintings of the very highest quality. It is from here — from the hill's own name, Palatium — that the word "palace" derives in many European languages.
What makes these two houses unique is not scale but intimacy: these are the emperor's private rooms, not state reception halls, and their decoration survives with a freshness of color that is astonishing for its age. Together they form the most personal jewel of a hill steeped in myth and political power, the mythic and political heart of Rome.
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What to see
A visit to the Houses of Augustus and Livia is a journey into Roman painting at its very best — private, intimate rooms decorated with frescoes whose freshness of color is remarkable for their age. Here's what not to miss.
The House of Augustus
The House of Augustus preserves stunning wall paintings in the so-called Second Pompeian Style, a style of Roman wall painting based on architectural and perspective illusions that "break through" the walls with faux columns, windows and spaces. Among its most celebrated rooms:
- The "Studiolo" of Augustus (a small study), a tiny room with exquisitely refined decoration.
- The Sala delle Maschere (Hall of Masks), with lively theatrical scenes and painted masks.
- The deep reds and architectural details that reveal the emperor's refined taste.
The House of Livia
The House of Livia, wife of Augustus, is famous for its extraordinary frescoes — among the best preserved in the ancient world. The standouts are the decorations with faux architecture, festoons, landscapes and mythological scenes, and above all the walls that simulate gardens and open spaces: Livia's celebrated painted garden, a masterpiece of Roman painting.
The setting of the Palatine
Beyond the houses, the Palatine has plenty more to see: the remains of the imperial palaces, the Stadium, the Museo Palatino (Palatine Museum), and one of the finest views over the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus.
Tickets and opening hours
Because the frescoes are so fragile, the Houses of Augustus and Livia rank among the Palatine's "special" sites: they are seen on timed entry (small groups) and almost always require advance booking with an assigned time slot. Access is part of the Palatine route and is usually covered by the integrated S.U.P.E.R. (Seven Unique Places to Experience in Rome) ticket, which opens up several spaces normally kept closed.
The S.U.P.E.R. ticket, valid across the Colosseum–Roman Forum–Palatine circuit, gives you access — beyond the standard areas — to a series of special sites on the Palatine, including (on rotation or scheduled openings) the House of Augustus, the House of Livia, the Aula Isiaca, the Museo Palatino and other spaces. Openings for individual sites can change over time, so it's worth checking ahead to see which are accessible on the day of your visit.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Integrated S.U.P.E.R. ticket (Colosseum–Roman Forum–Palatine circuit) |
| Booking | Mandatory, with assigned time slot and limited spots |
| Access | Timed entry, small groups |
| Park hours | Generally open every day, morning until late afternoon (seasonal variations) |
| Prices and dates | Indicative — always check the official website |
A few practical pointers given the mandatory booking and limited spots:
- Book early: slots for the frescoes sell out fast.
- Check the openings: not every special site is open each day.
- Arrive on time: your assigned slot must be respected.
- Combine your visit: pair it with the Roman Forum and Colosseum on the same ticket/circuit.
How to get there
The Houses of Augustus and Livia stand on the Palatine Hill, inside the vast Colosseum Archaeological Park (which includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine), at the heart of ancient Rome. You reach them through the entrances to the archaeological circuit, the same ones used for the Roman Forum and the Palatine.
By metro. The easiest option is the metro:
- Colosseo (Line B) — the stop sits right in front of the Colosseum, just a few minutes from the Forum/Palatine entrances. It's the most direct choice. Line B also connects you easily to Termini and the EUR district.
By bus and tram. The area is served by numerous bus lines stopping near the Colosseum and Via dei Fori Imperiali, and by Tram 3, which links the area with San Giovanni, Trastevere and the southern neighborhoods.
Park entrances. The archaeological park has several entrances: the main ones for the Palatine are on Via di San Gregorio and at Largo della Salara Vecchia (Roman Forum), plus the access from the Colosseum. Once inside, you walk up the hill to reach the area of the Houses of Augustus and Livia. Signs and routes can change: follow the signage and the staff's directions.
By car and with a private driver (NCC). The area lies in the heart of the monumental center, with a ZTL (limited-traffic zone) and heavy traffic restrictions: driving your own car is not recommended. With a private driver (NCC) the visit is far more comfortable: they drop you as close as possible to the entrance, handle the ZTL and the waiting, and make it easy to pair the Palatine with the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, or a relaxed end-of-day transfer, sparing you the long walk in the heat.
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Practical tips and itinerary
To make the most of your visit, plan it in this order:
- Book your access to the Houses of Augustus and Livia (assigned time slot).
- Admire the frescoes of the House of Augustus (Studiolo, Sala delle Maschere).
- Visit the House of Livia and its painted garden.
- Explore the rest of the Palatine and its views over the Forum and Circus Maximus.
- Head down toward the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.
A guide isn't required, but to fully appreciate the frescoes and their historical context, a guided visit or solid preparation helps a great deal. The park is large and slopes uphill toward the Palatine, so comfortable shoes and water are a good idea — and a private driver who drops you at the entrance and picks you up again cuts down the overall effort.
The Houses of Augustus and Livia pair naturally with the Roman Forum and the rest of the Palatine, the Colosseum (same circuit/ticket), and the Arch of Constantine and the Imperial Forums area — all part of the same archaeological circuit and best visited together.
See also
- The frescoes of the House of Livia
- Palatine: the history of the hill
- Roman Forum: tickets and prices
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