The Palatine

It is always best to start at the beginning - and since the Palatine is where Rome began, it is an ideal place to begin a tour of the Eternal City.

During the Middle Ages, most of the ruins of Ancient Rome were covered with gardens and vineyards. The largest of these was the Farnese Gardens at the northern end of the Palatine.

In 1861, Napoleon III bought the Farnese Gardens and appointed topographical scholar Signor Pietro Rosa to excavate the area. The scholar eventually uncovered remains of palaces, temples and massive buildings of Ancient Rome.

Today, the Palatine has been restored after years of renovation and is a popular tourist destination. Among the many sights of Rome, the Palatine area is one of its most famous.

One can only enter the Palatine from the Forum through the arch of Titus. While there are at least eleven major monuments in the Palatine, for the visitor whose time is limited, there are five places of especial interest in the Palatine. The Wall of Romulus, House of Livia, the Domus Flavia, The Stadium of Domitian, and the Palace of Septimius Severus should be included in any itinerary for the Palatine.

Wall of Romulus

To protect his city, the Eternal City's founder Romulus ordered the construction of a large wall around Rome. One of the oldest memorials of the city, the Wall of Romulus is one of the best-preserved monuments of Ancient Rome. The wall, which circles the Palatine, was built around 600 B.C. and exists today as a popular tourist attraction.

House of Livia

Of all the Palatine's ruins, the best preserved is that of the House of Livia, whose excavation was completed in 1911. Livia, the widow of Ancient Roman ruler Augustus, lived in the house bearing her name. Besides Livia, some of Rome's most prominent women also called the house home.

As was typical with Roman homes, the House of Livia boasts an atrium, reception hall, dining room, kitchen, and two levels. Of the many private homes that existed on Palatine Hill, this house is in the best condition. Its bottom level is nearly perfectly preserved, including paintings and room decorations.

Domus Flavia

Near the House of Livia stands the most magnificent of the Palatine's palaces, the Palace of Domitian or the Domus Flavia, which dates back to 81-96 A.D.

Domitian, fearing an assassination attempt, he ordered the walls of his palace be lined with marble that was polished until it reflected objects like a mirror. The palace boasts the remains of sixteen Corinthian Columns, originally 24 feet high, a throne room, chapel and basilica.

The palace's basilica, or Hall of Justice, is believed to be the site where St. Paul and other Christian martyrs were brought for trial at the beginning of the first millennium.

The Stadium of Domitian

Domitian built the Stadium on land near his own palace. Like an apartment building overlooking Wrigley field in Chicago, Domitian could be at his palace and be present at the chariot and horse races without ever leaving home.

Palace of Septimius Severus

For nearly a hundred years, the Caesars ruled Rome and lived in the old Palatine palaces. When Septimius Severus came to power, he strove to gain recognition for himself and his family. Severus, who was the only African to achieve a Roman imperial throne, decided to build a new palace, one that would bear his family name.

Severus chose a location beyond Domitian's Stadium where the angle of the Palatine hill slopes downward toward the plain. The view from Severus' palace is spectacular: the east is the Colosseum; in the foreground are five arches of the Palatine's aqueduct. To the south are the Churches of St. Gregory, St. John and St. Paul. The view of the west includes the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla as well as the Jewish cemetery and the Church of St. Paul without the Walls and St. Peter's.

Before you travel to the Palatine, click here for more information about hours of operation and admission fees.