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"Piazza Campidoglio To Piazza Del Popolo"

Rome Tourist Guide Routes  

Piazza del Campidoglio

Many consider this to be the most elegant square in the city, partially due to the fact that Michelangelo was responsible for much of its design. Construction on the square was commissioned by Pope Paul III and commenced in the year 1536 but wasn't completed until the 17th century, almost one hundred years later. The best way to approach the square is via the elegant stairway known as the Cordonata, which begins at the foot of the Piazza Aracoeli.

The square's most dominant feature is a bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. The statue is actually a replica since the original, which dates back to the 2nd century A.D., had suffered severe damage due to years of pollution and other environmental hazards. In order to preserve what remained of the original, it was replaced by a replica and moved into the Palazzo Nuovo, where it is displayed behind protective glass.

The square is lined by three elegant palaces: the Palazzo Senatorio, Palazzo Nuovo and Palazzo dei Conservatori. These last two palaces make up the Capitoline Museums; although each one has a separate entrance, the two palaces are also connected by a tunnel.

Below the Palazzo Senatorio are the remains of the Tabularium. This is one of the earliest official buildings in Rome, already serving as an archive and registry in the year 78 B.C. In Roman times, this registry maintained all of the city's bronze tablets, which contained the laws and deeds of the Ancient Roman state. During medieval times a fortress was built that covered the remnants of the Tabularium, which was then later converted into the Palazzo Senatorio. Retaining some spirit from the past, this building is still used by the city government for several administrative functions.  

Heading down the stairway to the left of the Palazzo Nuovo brings you to the Carcere Mamertino. Nowadays, the building houses the San Pietro in Carcere Church, but its previous incarnation was far less pious. According to gruesome tales, this infamous prison was the final destination for generals beaten in battle and many other prisoners, who were tossed into a deep pit where they lay forgotten. Most of them eventually died of starvation. One legend claims that Saint Peter performed a miracle here during his incarceration - suddenly a fresh water spring broke out of the ground within the confines of the prison walls. Saint Peter then used this water to baptise the prison guards. A chapel next to a small fountain commemorates this miraculous event.