Campidoglio, or Capitoline, was the most important of Rome's seven hills. The piazza at the top of the hill was designed by Michelangelo in the 1530s and took over a hundred years to complete. The grand stairs leading up to the piazza were also designed by Michelangelo. The building opposite the stairs is Rome's city hall. At the centre of the piazza is a magnificent second century equestrian statue.
This is the center of Rome and there are several important monuments, ruins and museums in the vicinity.
The Piazza is dominated by the Vittoriano – a monument to Italy's unification.
From Piazza Venezia you can continue along one of the other routes suggested. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from Piazza Venezia to the Lancelot along the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Alternatively, there are several buses you can take (85, 87 or 117).
This cosy piazza is dominated by one of Rome's loveliest fountains which was designed by Giacomo della Porta some time in the 1580s. The tortoises, for which the fountain is now named, was added in the following century by Bernini.
The name of this square is derived from Torre Argenitna (Tower Argentina), a 16th century house of a bishop from Strasburg (in Latin Argentorum – hence Torre Argentina).
The four secred temples date from the 4th century BC. The circular shaped temple (a rarity) used to contain a colossal statue of a female divinity – the head of the statue measuring 1.46 meters is now in the Capitoline Museum.
This piazza is dominated by the magnificent palazzo designed first by Sangullo, continued by Michelangelo and finished by Giacomo della Porta. The palazzo is considered to be one of the finest renaissance palaces in Rome, and has housed the French embassy since the 1870s.
The enormous granite baths which make up the two fountains were taken from the Baths of Caracalla.
In the morning there is a colorful food market in this square. The cowled statue in the middle is of Giordano Bruno burned at the stake in the same spot. At the western corner is one of the oldest bakeries in Rome which offers a great pizza. In the evening the square is popular with young people, who pack out the many bars and cafes.
Piazza di Pasquino is known for the torso of a statue representing Menelaus with the body of Patroclus, but which became known as Pasquino after the name of a tailor who lived nearby and who had a reputation for lampooning the powerful. His tradition continues as messages and poems continue to be placed at the base of the statue.
The square of S. Maria della Pace was designed by Pietro da Cortona in 1656 There are frescos by Raphael. Concerts are often performed in this church.
The piazza gets its shape from the ruins of Emperor Dominitan's stadium (AD 86) on which it stands. Over the centuries the square became a place for games, tournaments and processions. From the 17th to the 19th centuries the square used to be flooded to allow barges for the nobility to parade in a background of fireworks.
In the centre of the square is Bernini's dramatic Fontana dei Fiumi, or four rivers fountain. Four allegorical statues portray the Nile, the Ganges, the Danube and the Rio de la Plata, symbolizing the four corners of the world. Overlooking the central fountain is church of Sant'Agnese in Agonia designed by the great architect Borromini.
From the beginning of December till Epiphany (6 January), this piazza is occupied by stalls selling sweets and toys.
This is the best preserved monument from ancient Imperial Rome, and for many centuries it remained the largest dome ever built. The dome is shaped as a sphere, the base of which would rest on the floor. There is a 9 meter hole in the top of the dome which provides illumination to the interior. It is amazing to think that the Romans were able to resolve the many engineering problems in the construction of this building without the aid of computer aided design, and that the dome has remained standing for nearly 2000 years despite the removal of its protective brass cover in the 17th century.
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Even the big brass doors weighing several tons each work after all these centuries and continue to be opened and closed every day.
During the pontificate of Urbanus VIII, Bernini erected the two bell towers which are shown in the etching by Vasi in 1748. The bell towers became known as the orecchie d'asino (ass's ears) and were eventually pulled down in the early 1900s. .
This is possibly the most imaginative geometrical design by Borromini. The concave facade is countered by the convex bulk of the dome. The interior is based on a six-pointed star which terminates in a fanciful corkscrew dome.
The square is designed as a theater in which everyone becomes the performer. Such theatrical settings of piazzas helps to explain the Italians' love for dramatic gesture and 'bella figura' (dressing well for the part we all play in the public theatre).
The church which overlooks the square is interesting, particularly its painted false dome. According to some, the reason for this is that there were insufficient funds left to finish the church. According to others, the dome was not built due to worries that it would block the view and light to the adjacent monastery.
The column at the centre of this Piazza was erected in AD 180 to commemorate Marcus Aurelius's victories in battle. Inspired by Trajan's column, the 30m column is covered in vivid spiraling reliefs. The reliefs on the lower part represent the conquering of the Germanic tribes between 169 and 173, while the upper reliefs commemorate the wars against the Sarmatians between 174 and 176.
Trevi Fountain
Rome's most romantic and best known fountain was completed by Nicola Salvi in 1762. Water for the fountain is supplied by one of Rome's earliest aquaducts.
On the right side of the fountain are two drinking sprouts which offered a rare opportunity for lovers to kiss in public. Newly weds and lovers still take a drink together from this fountain to bring good fortune to their love.
It is also customary to throw a coin into the fountain - over your shoulder while facing away - which is hoped will ensure your return to the eternal city.
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The immense palazzo served as the papal summer residence for almost three centuries until 1870 when Italy was united and it became the king's residence. When Italy became a republic in 1946 it became the president's residence.
The obelisk in the centre of the piazza was moved from Augustus' mausoleum in 1786 and is flanked by imperial Roman copies of the original 5th century BC Greek statues of Castor and Pollux.
The palazzo is open to the public on Sunday morning when concerts are performed in the chapel at 12 am.
Houses the mighty Moses by Michelangelo. Conserved in the reliquary on the main altar are the chains said to have been used to shackle Saint Peter in Jerusalem.
Step back in time through the passageway into narrow streets of craftsmen gilding picture frames and restoring antique furniture.