The Renaissance Senatorial Palace was built on Capitol Hill, designed by Michelangelo. Today it houses the City Hall of Rome.
Senators Palace from Capitol Square
What is in the Palace of Senators today
In Rome, on Capitol Hill, is the Palace of Senators (Palazzo Senatorio) - the creation of the great Michelangelo. One facade of it goes to Capitol Square, and the other to the Roman Forum. Construction was carried out from 1541 to 1605. It is in this form that the palace has survived to this day.
Since 1871, the residence of the mayor of Rome with his administration has been located in the Palazzo Senatori. Therefore, for tourists the main building is closed. But you can still get to the city hall from 9:00 to 16:00. To do this, you need to have an identification document with you. In the antique lower part of the palace there is an exposition of the Capitoline Museums.
The history of the construction of the palace
Tabularium, photo Penn State University
From ancient times, the place where the Palace of Senators now stands has been associated with the political life of Rome. In 78 BC e. it was built by order of the Consul Quintus Lutius Catul Capitolin and designed by architect Lucius Cornelius Tabularius, the state archive. In the Middle Ages the building was dilapidated.
The Jubilant Rome fountain - a symbol of the rule of Rome
Antique statues with side stairs
In the XVI century, under the leadership of Michelangelo, the construction of a new palace was begun. A two-flight staircase was attached to it. In its central niche, the Jubilant Rome fountain was set up - a symbol of Roman dominion, and antique statues representing the Tiber (first it was the Tiger) and the Nile, brought here from Term Constantine, were installed on the sides.
View from Vittoriano
Michelangelo died in 1564; architects Girolamo Rainaldi and Giacomo della Porta continued his work. This is the period 1573-1605. The facade of the new palace has acquired a baroque look. But the creators preserved the lower part of ancient Tabularia and two towers on the sides. This gave the palace the appearance of a defensive structure. The Capitoline Tower or Belfry was created in 1578 - 1582. designed by Martino Longa Sr., she replaced the old, medieval.
In the Palazzo Senatori is worth a look:
- City Hall or Flag Hall
- The Hall of the Soviets, where the sculpture of Julius Caesar (I century BC) is kept,
- Capitol Protomotek, opened in 1950, with a collection of busts.
For other Rome attractions, check out my guide here.
Hall in the Palace of Senators, photo Palazzo Madama Museo
How to get there
Take line B metro to Colosseo Station;
by bus: 30, 51, 81, 83, 85, 87, 118, 160, 170, 628, 810 - to Ara Coeli-Piazza Venezia;
by tram 8 to the final stop of Venezia.
