The Capitoline Podtour
The hilltop origins of Rome
The hill that towers over the Roman Forum was the original site of the Roman citadel. In the Middle Ages, it continued to be the centre of the city's secular government - its history includes many episodes of treachery and bloodshed.
The Capitoline ('Campidoglio' in Italian), like other areas of Rome, was remodelled during the Renaissance to accordwith new ideas of town planning. The medieval palace that was the seat of the government was retained, but given a new facade, and two new wings added to define a square. Michelangelo was the designer, and it's due to his genius that you don't notice how the square is actually a trapezoid, and the pavement actually rises towards the middle.
The church of Santa Maria Aracoeli stands where the Romans crowned the lower summit of the hill with the temple of Juno. It contains some of the most interesting art in Rome but you'll have to look hard to find the best bits - a tomb slab by Florentine sculptor Donatello, and a fine window by baroque architect Bernini featuring bees - badge of his patrons the Barberini family.
On this audio tour you'll hear how the visionary medieval leader Cola di Rienzo hid out in the Capitoline - and was eventually stabbed on the steps leading up to the hill - and you'll also see one of the finest pieces of sculpture in Rome, the She-Wolf outside the Capitoline palace.
Capitoline Podtour
Price: £4.00
Combine this with our Podtour of the Imperial Forums for a complete day's viewing of ancient Rome.
Photo credit: Andrea Kirkby