Palatine Hill

The most famous hill, Palatine Hill, is the location where the city of Rome is thought to have been
founded. According to Roman mythology, Romulus and Remus were abandoned in the Tiber River and
were saved thanks to a she-wolf who suckled them to life; they were then rescued and raised by a
shepherd and his wife. Born natural leaders, they vied over where to establish the Roman Empire and
Romulus eventually killed Remus, laying the foundation for the city on Palatine Hill. Excavations show
that people have lived in the area since the 10th century BC and during the city’s Classical period,
Roman emperors and elites lived upon this hill. Emperors Augustus, Tiberius and Domitian all had
palaces built on Palatine Hill, most likely in an effort to appeal to historic foundations for their
leadership. There are many important ruins to see including ancient imperial palaces, a
hippodrome/stadium and landscaped gardens.
Capitoline Hill

Another significant hill for the identity of Rome is the Capitoline Hill, which overlooks the Roman Forum
and today hosts Rome’s city hall. Used as a citadel by the earliest Romans, the word capitol probably
meant ‘dominant height’ and has since been adopted by the English language. The Temple of Jupiter,
the largest and most important ancient Roman temple, was located on this hill and was similar to the
Parthenon. In the 16th century, the hill was famously landscaped by Michelangelo to include concentric
designs on its pavement and a grand cordonata ramp staircase. Interestingly, this faces Vatican City
rather than the Roman Forum, which lies behind it, possibly symbolizing a forward-looking gaze toward
the future rather than the city’s ancient past. The Capitoline Museums, comprising the world’s first
public museum, are housed in two buildings in the square and contain important ancient bronzes,
marble statues and Renaissance works of art.
Aventine Hill
Aventine Hill was a desirable location for powerful rulers because of its fortifiable position overlooking
the Tiber River.

Today it is known for being an affluent residential area and for housing the Priory of the Knights of Malta
with its famous keyhole;

the property traces its history back to Alberic II, a nobleman who ruled Rome from 932 to 954.
Caelian Hill

Close to the Colosseum, the Caelian Hill was the residential district of Rome’s wealthy families during
the Republic era. Evidence of elaborately decorated villas has been discovered beneath the nearby Baths
of Caracalla ruins, helping to shed light on the development of this area. There are many notable
churches in the area, including the three-tiered Basilica di San Clemente, the round Santo Stefano
Rotondo and the perched Basilica dei Santi Quattro Coronati. The ancient Roman road Clivus Scauri is
visible, highlighted with arches that likely functioned as aqueducts that carried water into the city. The
Villa Celimontana gardens are also some of the loveliest in the city.
Esquiline Hill

Historically, the Esquiline Hill was famous for being the location of Emperor Nero’s Domus Aurea,
Golden House, the grandest villa built in Roman civilization which spanned to the Palatine Hill and the
Caelian Hill. Excavations are currently taking place but visitors are able to admire its elaborate stucco
ceilings, frescoes and incredibly ample dimensions on weekend visits of the worksite. Today the
Esquiline Hill is topped with the beautiful Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four papal basilicas of Rome,
and the largest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome.