Piazza del Campidoglio

The Basics

Piazza del Campidoglio was commissioned by Pope Paul III on the occasion of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V’s visit, and Michelangelo laid out the square to face St. Peter’s Basilica, turning its back on the Roman Forum. He also designed new facades for Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Senatorio and built Palazzo Nuovo to complement the older palaces. Today, Palazzo Senatorio houses city hall, and the other two palaces house the Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini), with vast collections of classical sculpture, Renaissance paintings, and archaeological artifacts. Michelangelo also designed the square’s sweeping Cordonata Steps, unique geometric paving, and setting for the central equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

Piazza del Campidoglio is a stop on many guided walking, bike, and Segway tours of Rome’s highlights. Guided city tours generally visit other top attractions such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon and may include skip-the-line tickets to the Colosseum and Vatican.

Things to Know Before You Go

• There is no shade in the square, so be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen if visiting on foot or bike in the hot summer months.

• The square is flat and well paved, easily navigable by wheelchair or with a stroller.

• Photography enthusiasts will enjoy the view from the square atop the Capitoline Hill.

• There are no restaurants or cafés along the square, but the museum has a rooftop café overlooking Rome.

How to Get There

Piazza del Campidoglio is located behind the famous Vittoriano monument in Piazza Venezia, where a number of bus and tram lines stop. You can also take metro line B to the Colosseo stop and walk about 10 minutes to Piazza del Campidoglio.

When to Get There

With no shade, Piazza del Campidoglio can be very hot during the midday hours. Time your visit for early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when the temperatures are milder and the light better for photographs.

Highlights of the Capitoline Museums

The Capitoline Museums on Piazza del Campidoglio are home to a number of important works of art, including theCapitoline Wolf (Lupa capitolina), a bronze statue of Romulus and Remus suckling a she-wolf; andThe Dying Gaul (Galata Morente), dating from ancient Rome. There are also masterpieces by Caravaggio, Titian, Pietro da Cortona, and Guercino.

Ways to explore

Commissioned by Pope Paul III, Michelangelo designed Piazza del Campidoglio so that it faced St. Peter’s Basilica, rather than the Roman Forum. Michelangelo also designed the square’s sweeping Cordonata Steps, unique geometric paving, and setting for the central equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, although he didn’t live to see work on the square complete.

Piazza del Campidoglio is a stop on many guided walking, bike, and Segway tours of Rome. City tours generally visit beloved highlights including the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, and may include skip-the-line tickets to certain attractions, too.

Accessibility

The square is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, as it is flat and paved.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sunscreen, sunglasses, camera

What to wear

Hat (there is no shade), comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Climbing on monuments or statues, disruptive public behavior

Amenities

None, though facilities including eateries are just steps away.

Address

A short walk from the Roman Forum, Piazza del Campidoglio is right in the heart of Ancient Rome. Public transit and tours are also great ways to get there.

Driving

Driving in central Rome is challenging due to traffic, ZTL zones (limited traffic areas), and limited parking. If you must drive, pick an open parking garage nearby and walk from there.

Public transportation

This is your best bet. Take metro line B to Colosseo station and walk about 5–10 minutes to the piazza. The bus will get you closer—the Teatro Marcello/Ara Coeli stop is at the foot of Capitoline Hill.

Best times to visit

Early morning or into the evening are ideal—crowds are thinner, lighting is better for photography, and the midday heat is gone. Come in the evening to see the city lights glow.

Best days to visit

If you want quiet, visit on a weekday; for pomp and people-watching, try the weekend.

Best months to visit

Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer pleasant weather, beautiful light, and smaller crowds than summer.

Special events

Visit on April 21, Rome’s birthday (Natale di Roma), for special events and concerts on Capitoline Hill—the square is situated right at the top.