Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EXHIBITION SUPPLEMENTS
Note that many of Rome's major museums and monuments, including the Capitoline Museums and all
four seats of the Museo Nazionale Romano, host regular exhibitions. When these are on, ticket prices
are increased slightly, typically by about €3.
Palatino
RUINS
(Palatine Hill; 06 3996 7700;
www.coopculture.it
;
Via di San Gregorio 30; adult/reduced incl Colos-
seum & Roman Forum €12/7.50; 8.30am-1hr before sunset; Colosseo)
Sandwiched between
the Roman Forum and the Circo Massimo, the Palatino is a gorgeous, atmospheric area of
towering pine trees, majestic ruins and memorable views. According to legend, this is
where Romulus and Remus were saved by a wolf and Romulus founded Rome in 753 BC.
Archaeological evidence has dated human habitation here to the 8th century BC.
As the most central of Rome's seven hills, and because it was close to the Roman For-
um, the Palatino was ancient Rome's most exclusive neighbourhood. The emperor Augus-
tus lived here all his life and successive emperors built increasingly opulent palaces. But
after Rome's fall it fell into disrepair and in the Middle Ages churches and castles were
built over the ruins. During the Renaissance, wealthy families established gardens on the
hill.
Most of the Palatino as it appears today is covered by the ruins of Emperor Domitian's
vast complex, which served as the main imperial palace for 300 years. Divided into the
built in the 1st century AD.
On entering the Palatino from Via di San Gregorio, head uphill until you come to the
first recognisable construction, the stadio. This sunken area, which was part of the main
imperial palace, was used by the emperor for private games. Adjoining the stadium to the
southeast are the impressive remains of a complex built by Septimius Severus, comprising
Next to the stadio are the ruins of the Domus Augustana. It was built on two levels,
with rooms leading off a
peristilio
(peristyle or garden courtyard) on each floor. You can't
get to the lower level, but from above you can see the basin of a fountain and beyond it
