The perfect square on the hill where Rome was born

The Campidoglio (Capitolium) was the most sacred hill of ancient Rome, home to the Temple of Jupiter. In the 1500s, Pope Paul III commissioned Michelangelo to redesign its summit — and the result was one of the most harmonious squares ever conceived, a masterpiece of perspective and geometry that still takes your breath away as you climb the cordonata.

It's free, always open, and offers one of the most beautiful sunsets in Rome.

Michelangelo's design

Michelangelo rethought every element:

  • The cordonata: the gently sloping ramp-staircase, wide enough to ride a horse up, that rises from the city toward the square.
  • The pavement: the famous oval star-shaped geometric pattern, completed only in the 20th century from his original drawings.
  • The three palaces: the Palazzo Senatorio at the center, with the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo on either side, set at a trapezoid angle to create a perspective effect that widens the space.
  • The statue of Marcus Aurelius: placed at the center as the visual focal point (today a copy; the original is inside the Capitoline Museums).

What to see in and around the square

  • The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius at the center (a copy).
  • The fountain of the goddess Roma and the statues of the Dioscuri at the top of the cordonata.
  • The Capitoline Museums, in the two side palaces.
  • The terrace behind the Palazzo Senatorio: a panoramic view over the Roman Forum.
  • Santa Maria in Aracoeli: the church next door, at the top of its steep staircase.

When to go

The square is lovely all day, but sunset is something special: golden light on the palaces and the view over the Forum from the side terrace are unforgettable. In the evening it's beautifully lit and atmospheric, with few people around.

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A bit of history

From the Campidoglio — the symbol of Rome's civic power for over two millennia — comes the word "Capitol" used around the world (including the Capitol in Washington). The city's government was based here as far back as the Middle Ages, and even today the Palazzo Senatorio is the seat of the City of Rome.

Practical tips

  • Admission: the square is free and always open; the Capitoline Museums require a ticket.
  • Getting there: a 5-minute walk from Piazza Venezia (ZTL zone, no private cars).
  • Photos: the cordonata from below and the pavement from above (from the terrace of the Palazzo dei Conservatori).
  • Pair it with: the Capitoline Museums, the Altare della Patria, the Roman Forum — all just steps away.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed Piazza del Campidoglio? Michelangelo Buonarroti, commissioned by Pope Paul III in 1536. He redesigned the square, the cordonata, the pavement, and the layout of the palaces; the project was completed after his death.

Is Piazza del Campidoglio free? Yes, the square has free access and is always open. Only the Capitoline Museums, in the side palaces, require a ticket.

Is the statue of Marcus Aurelius in the square the original? No, the one at the center of the square is a copy. The original gilded bronze is preserved inside the Capitoline Museums.

How do you get to Piazza del Campidoglio? On foot, a 5-minute walk from Piazza Venezia, climbing Michelangelo's cordonata. The area is pedestrian and within the ZTL: no unauthorized private cars.

What is there to see near the Campidoglio? The Capitoline Museums, the Altare della Patria, the view over the Roman Forum from the side terrace, and the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli.

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Article #231 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026