Italy

Senators Palace

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.

Watch the video: Three visiting senators comment on coalition progress in Iraq (November 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Italy, Next Article

Photo from the Leaning Tower of Pisa: the most original ideas
Pisa

Photo from the Leaning Tower of Pisa: the most original ideas

Once Galileo Galilei throwing objects of various weights from the leaning tower in Pisa and studying the laws of physics could not even imagine that his experiments would inspire millions of people to work, and sometimes to madness. One of the main tasks posed by most tourists by reading the article “What to do in Italy?
Read More
Leaning cathedral
Pisa

Leaning cathedral

The Leaning Cathedral of Pisa is one of four architectural masterpieces that form the ensemble of the world famous Pisa Square - Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles). Historical information The Leaning Cathedral of Pisa, also known as the Cathedral of Pisa (Duomo di Pisa), began to be erected in 1063. The initiator of this event was the Pisa archbishop Busketo di Giovanni Giudice, under the close supervision of which the construction was underway.
Read More
Piazza dei Miracoli - Square of Miracles in Pisa
Pisa

Piazza dei Miracoli - Square of Miracles in Pisa

The famous Pisa Piazza dei Miracoli, better known as the Square of Miracles, represents the place where the four masterpieces of medieval architecture are located - the Cathedral (Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta), the Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni), the Campanile, as well as Campo Santo Cemetery.
Read More
Museum of Ancient Ships in Pisa
Pisa

Museum of Ancient Ships in Pisa

The Museum of Ancient Ships (Museo delle antiche navi di Pisa) opened in Pisa in November 2016 near the San Rossore Station. The museum, or rather the 2 halls that are currently open, are located in the ensemble of buildings of the Medici Arsenal, which at first served for the parking and repair of ships, and from the 18th century it played the role of royal and military stables.
Read More