Tuesday March 10

On Tuesday March 10 the students, Danilo, and I visited Capitoline Hill. I like Capitoline Hill because it has a wonderful museum and a decent view from the top of the Cordonata steps designed by Michelangelo. Unfortunately most of the view of these beautiful steps and the Piazza del Campidoglio itself is blotted out by the enormous Victor Emmanuel Monument. An impressive structure in its own right, but seems totally out of place on this hill.The Capitoline Hill still serves as the seat of the municipal government of Rome. the mayors office and the city council still meet in the Palazzo Senatorio.

Also nearby is Santa Maria in Aracoeli, or St. Mary of the Altar in the Sky. If you saw it at the top of the Arocoeli staircase, all 124 steps, you would understand how it got its name. From the top there is a good view of Rome with Domes of Sant Andrea della Valle and St. Peter's.

 

 

Below is a view of the Piazza del Campidoglio.

 

 

 

As I stated in the beginning, the piazza is home to two great museums, the Palazzo Nuovo and the Palazzo dei Conservatori.

 

 

 

 

 



The head of a colossal 4th century AD statue of Constantine has survived along with a hand and other odd fragments. See me with the foot below.

 



 

 

 

The museum contains many sculptures of former popes.

As well as the bust of Medusa as sculpted by Bernini.

 

 

 

 The statue below is Marcus Aurelius. A copy of this bronze statue is also in the piazza pictured above. this is the original. It is believed to have survived attempts to melt it down and use the bronze for other purposes because many thought it was a statue of Constantine.

the back of the Palazzo dei Conservatori provides an excellent view of the Forum from above.