The Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill is one of the oldest archaeological sites of the eternal city, and one of the famous seven hills of Rome. According to legend, on the 21st of April in 753 B.C, Romulus founded Rome on the Palatine hill.

According to tradition, the twins Romulus and Remus were found by a she-wolf called Luperca when she was drinking from the river Tiber.  She took them with her to the top of the Palatine hill where she feed them until they were rescued by a shepherd who took them to his house and were raised by his wife.

If you are keen to know what you can see at the Palatine Hill of Rome and have the best experience, bellow you can find all the information you will need.

Table of contents

What is the Palatine Hill?

The Palatine Hill is part an archaeological area of the ancient Rome alongside the colosseum and the Roman Forum. Many tourists come to see the Colosseum and Roman forum and forget to visit the Palatine Hill. They don’t realise they are missing an important and fascinating treasure of the city.

During your visit to Rome you can’t miss enjoying a wonderful panoramic view of the Roman Forums from the top of the hill, in fact it was on that area where emperors and leaders would built their palaces during the republican times.

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Official Colosseum Ticket Tour Rome The Palatine Hill 3

Things to do in Palatine

Here you have a list of what to see on the Palatine Hill:

  1. Domus Augustana: it’s part of Domitian’s palace complex that occupied, at the end of the I century A.D, the main area of the Palatine.
  2. The house of Augustus: It was the main residence of the emperor Octavius Augustus, one of the two structures that are better preserved together with the house of Livia.
  3. House of Livia: it is considered to be part of the private rooms of Augustus house.
  4. Domus Tiberian: It was the palace of the emperor Tiberius, and it was the first one to be constructed on the Palatine hill.
  5. Domus Flavia: It occupies the centre part of the Palatine, it was built on the 81 B.C, commissioned by the emperor Domitian designed as his official and public residence. It is still possible to see many parts of this vast construction.
  6. Farnese gardens: created in 1525 and considered the first botanical gardens in Europe.
  7. Palatine Museum: It is also possible to visit the exhibitions of the museum where there are exposed the many archaeological findings that have been discovered along the numerous excavations on the area.
  8. Stadium of Domitian: Even if designed in the form of a Roman circus, experts say that this area couldn’t have been used for horse racing as it is too small and it doesn’t have and area for the start line in the carriage races.
  9. Domus Severiana: It is the final extension to the imperial palaces in the Palatine Hill, built by the emperor Septimius Severus at the end of the II century A.D, and beginning of the III century.
  10. Nero’s cryptoporticus: It is a 130 meters corridor or passageway where it is thought that Caligula was murdered, and that later Nero used to connect his Domus Aurea with the Palatine.
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Official Colosseum Ticket Tour Rome The Palatine Hill 4

Tips when visiting the Roman Palatine

  • With your ticket to the Palatine you can also visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. There is way less people on this part of the visit, so it is a way to relax a little from the other crowded areas.
  • The entrance to the Palatine Hill it is located on Via di San Gregorio 30.
  • We suggest you book a guided tour with a professional guide. It is the best way to avoid the long queues and don’t miss a thing during your visit.
  • You can get to the Palatine Hill using the underground taking the Line B and stopping at the “Colosseo” underground station. You can also take any of this Bus lines: 60, 75, 84, 85, 87, 117, 175, 186, 271, 571, 810 and 850.

Were you expecting so many interesting facts about the Palatine Hill?

After visiting the Palatine, you would probably want to visit the Colosseum. Here you have another article with all the tips when visiting the Colosseum.

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