The homes of Rome's first emperor

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.

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.

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What makes these houses unique

  • The frescoes of the House of Livia, among the most celebrated of the ancient world.
  • The paintings of the House of Augustus, with vivid colors and refined detail.
  • The intimate atmosphere of the emperor's private rooms — not state reception halls.
  • The setting on the Palatine, the mythic and political heart of Rome.

We go deeper in our guide to what to see in the Houses of Augustus and Livia and in the dedicated piece on the frescoes of the House of Livia.

Visits by reservation

The Houses of Augustus and Livia are generally visited with limited access and mandatory booking, as part of the Palatine route (often via an integrated ticket such as the "S.U.P.E.R.", Seven Unique Places to Experience in Rome). For opening hours, tickets and how it all works, you'll find everything in our guide Houses of Augustus and Livia: tickets and visits.

Where they are and how to get there

The houses sit on the Palatine, within the vast archaeological park of the Colosseum–Roman Forum–Palatine. To reach them, see how to get to the Houses of Augustus and Livia.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Houses of Augustus and Livia? They are the residences of the first emperor Augustus and his wife Livia, on the Palatine Hill, decorated with some of the best-preserved frescoes in Roman antiquity.

Why do they matter? Because they hold extraordinary wall paintings, and because they offer an intimate glimpse into the life of the first emperor, in the legendary spot where Rome was born.

Can you visit them? Yes — generally with limited access and mandatory booking, as part of the Palatine route. Check the conditions and tickets on the official site.

Where are they located? On the Palatine Hill, in the archaeological park of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine, in the heart of ancient Rome.

Are they worth it? Absolutely, for lovers of Roman art and history: the frescoes — especially those in the House of Livia — are among the most beautiful of antiquity.

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Article #477 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026