There’s no better view of Rome and its history than the one from Palatine Hill.
When planning your next Italian vacation, make sure you explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Legend goes that it was here, thousands of years ago, where Romulus founded the city of Rome, and a great epoch was born. If you’re looking for ancient Rome, then you’ve found it.
The Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill is the highest of the seven hills that Rome is built on. Amongst the ruins of palaces and ancient imperial buildings strewn across this Roman hillside, you’ll find the history of Rome. Gazing out from the Palatine Hill you can see where the city has come from, and what it has become.
When exploring the Palatine Hill, look out for The Baths of Septimius Severus. These ruins are perhaps the easiest to spot as their grand old archways can be seen from far off. And don’t miss the Circus Maximus either. This huge structure once held 250,00 people, and although it’s now a park, you can still make out the shape of the track if you look carefully enough.
This historic hillside makes for a peaceful escape from the bustle of the Italian capital and it’s bursting with wildflowers and animal life. Then there are the views; some would say the best in Rome, with the most spectacular enjoyed when looking down towards the Roman Forum.
The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum sits just 40 metres below the Palatine Hill. It’s a rectangular plaza surrounded by the ruins of storied buildings. This forum was the heart of the ancient city of Rome and it was the venue for speeches, criminal trials, and Gladiatorial battles.
The sublime collection of historical Roman buildings bordering the Forum includes temples, government buildings, triumphal arches, and basilicas. This ancient site lets you explore the ruined streets of ancient Rome, touch marble and stone work carved thousands of years ago, and truly immerse yourself in what it was like to live in Roman times.
Make sure you note the graceful ruins of the Temple of Vesta. Borrowing from Greek architecture, this round Temple is one of the earliest buildings to sit in the Roman forum. There’s the Senate building, the largest Roman temple, dedicated to Venus and Rome, the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Constantine, and the House of the Vestal Virgins.
Tours of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill provide wonderful snapshots of ancient Rome. The place is the beginning; the beating heart of the Roman Empire, a civilisation that shaped our world and it will definitely be a highlight of your vacation in Italy.
From ancient statutes, to the Via dei Fori Imperiali, a wide boulevard build by Mussolini in the 20th century, this truly Italian site is a goldmine for art lovers, archaeologists, and historians capturing thousands of years of Italian culture and architecture. Soak in the history, take in the sights, and experience Italy as the Romans did. There’s no better view of Rome and its history than the one from Palatine Hill.
Book one of our escorted tours of Rome including The Palatine Hill and see the city’s sights for yourself!