Michelangelo Buonarotti repaved the piazza of the Capitoline hill in a timeless design.
In 1538 Michelangelo presented a proposal to Pope Paul III Farnese for the reorganization of the capitol along monumental lines. Architecture became his main preoccupation during the last 30 years of his life.
This was once the symbolic center of ancient Rome. The statue (an equestrian monument of Marcus Aurelius) had been transferred to the Compidoglio and became the focal point of his entire scheme. (The original statue has been replaced with a copy and resides in the courtyard of the Palazzo Nuovo.)
The shape of the piazza is not a rectangle but more like a trapezoid. Michelangelo refurbished the Senator's Palace (Palazzo Senatorio) and the Conservator's Palace (Palazzo Conservatori) on the right side of the piazza and designed a third building the New Palace (Palazzo Nuovo) to balance the scheme. Three sides of the piazza are defined by these palace facades. Visitors ascend the flight of steps (Cordonata) to find themselves enclosed in a hugh outdoor room.
Michelangelo designed the geometric paving stones that are best appreciated from the second floor or the rooftop of any of the flanking buildings. Ask permission of the security guard or a building manager.
Castor and Pollux
Antique statues of the Twin Heroes (Dioscuri) Castor and Pollux are at the top of the Cordonata steps (also Michelangelo's work) that lead to the Piazza del Campidoglio.
Piazza del Campidoglio
Piazza del Campidoglio
Capitoline area
Rome (RM)
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