The Palatine Hill in Rome

Just steps away from the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill is one of the most iconic ancient sites in Rome. Considered the birthplace of the city, this legendary hill is definitely worth a visit!

Follow the guide!

⚠️ Heads Up! The Palatine Hill is one of Rome’s must-see tourist spots. To avoid wasting precious time in line, it’s best to book your visit in advance: skip-the-line tickets or a guided tour (available in several languages).

The Palatine Hill in a Nutshell

A Brief Geography Lesson

Located just steps from the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill is the most central of Rome’s seven hills (the others being Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Quirinal, and Viminal).

Rising about 50 meters /165 ft above sea level, Palatine Hill has two summits: Germal (51 m) and Palatual (51.2 m).

The Palatine in Legend

According to legend, it was at the foot of the Palatine Hill that the she-wolf discovered the twins Romulus and Remus before taking them to the Lupercal cave (which, incidentally, was discovered by archaeologists in 2007).

The image of the she-wolf nursing the twins remains an emblem of the city. You will find a beautiful statue of the scene in the Capitoline Museums.

As adults, the twins decide to found a city but disagree on its location: Romulus wants to build it on Palatine Hill, while Remus prefers Aventine Hill. To resolve their dispute, they turn to the augurs who designate Romulus as the founder and king of the new city.

Romulus then outlines the limits of his new city with a plow. Jealous, Remus provokes his brother by crossing the line he has just drawn on the ground. Out of vengeance and fear of sharing power, Romulus kills his brother… and Rome is born.

Moral of the story: if you like happy endings, Roman mythology might not be for you!

A Brief History of the Palatine Hill

If legend holds that Rome was founded on the Palatine Hill, history seems to confirm it!

The Palatine Hill in Antiquity

It appears that this famous hill was indeed occupied as early as the 10^th century BC. Archaeologists have also discovered hut remains dating back to the 8^th century BC and two cisterns from the 7^th century BC.

During the Roman Republic (510 BC to 27 BC), the Palatine Hill became the “posh” neighborhood of ancient Rome. Wealthy Roman citizens—including Cicero and Mark Antony—built their residences there.

During the imperial era (starting in 27 BC), emperors also took over the Palatine Hill to build their palaces, such as the Domus Tiberiana (built by Tiberius) and the Domus Augustana (built by Domitian).

According to period sources, by the mid-4^th century AD, the Palatine Hill was home to:

• 89 domus (≈ mansions)
• 2600 insulae (smaller accommodations than domus)
• 48 baths
• 20 bakeries

It seems that under the Roman Empire, going to the baths was more important than buying bread!

e However, from the reign of Diocletian at the end of the 3^rd century AD, Palatine Hill was gradually abandoned by the Roman emperors. Although it continued to be inhabited in the following centuries, it was completely deserted by the 11^th century.

The Palatine Hill During the Renaissance

For nearly five centuries, the Palatine Hill fell into obscurity… until the 16^th century, when wealthy Roman families rediscovered it and decided to develop vineyards and gardens, like the Barberini, Ronconi, Magnani, and Farnese families.

The Farnese family, for instance, created vast gardens on the ruins of Domus Tiberiana. The Farnese Gardens have stood the test of time and can be visited today (access included with the Palatine Hill ticket).

Archaeological Excavations

Excavations on Palatine Hill began in the 18^th century and intensified in the 19^th century, particularly under the initiative of Napoleon III (as with the Roman Forum).

Research continues today with restoration plans, and in 2007 a cave believed by some to be the Lupercal cave—where the she-wolf supposedly nursed Romulus and Remus—was discovered.

Today, Palatine Hill has become one of the most popular tourist sites in Rome. Therefore, it’s wise to book your skip-the-line tickets or guided tour in advance!

Visiting The Palatine Hill

While the ruins on the Palatine Hill might not be the most impressive in Rome, the site offers a breath of fresh air. What’s on the agenda? A stroll among the remains of ancient imperial palaces in the shade of towering stone pines. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Must-See Monuments on The Palatine Hill

The Baths of Septimius Severus

Built under the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus (146 AD – 211 AD), the Baths of Septimius Severus retain some visible arches to the south of the Palatine Hill.

The Palace of Domitian

The Stadium of Domitian – A few steps from the baths, the Stadium of Domitian is still well visible today. Archaeologists are uncertain about the exact use of this vast rectangular space measuring 160 by 50 meters: a circus for equestrian races or a pleasure garden? It remains a mystery… Some experts suggest it might be the stadium where Saint Sebastian was martyred.

The Domus Augustana – Next to the stadium, the Domus Augustana was part of Domitian’s Palace. These were likely the emperor’s private apartments within the palace (the public apartments being the Domus Flavia).
The southern part of the Domus Augustana overlooks the Circus Maximus, so it’s possible that the emperor could watch chariot races without even leaving his palace! (What luxury!)

The Domus Flavia – Adjacent to the Domus Augustana, the Domus Flavia housed the public part of Domitian’s Palace. This is where the emperor received visitors for audiences or receptions.

The House of Augustus and the House of Livia (Villa Livia)

Built in the first half of the 1^st century BC, the House of Augustus was the residence of the first Roman emperor (adopted son of Julius Caesar, born Octavian before taking the name Augustus upon becoming emperor).

Augustus’s choice to settle on the Palatine Hill undoubtedly determined the hill’s role as the residence of Roman emperors for the next three centuries.

Adjacent to the House of Augustus, the House of Livia was an annex serving as the residence of the emperor’s wife. With its beautiful frescoes, it’s one of the best-preserved monuments on the Palatine Hill. A must-see stop!

The Palatine Museum

The Palatine Museum showcases a selection of artifacts discovered on the site: fragments of frescoes, mosaics, sculptures, ceramics, and other ancient objects.

The Farnese Gardens

Created at the initiative of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese above the ruins of Domus Tiberiana, the Farnese Gardens are the oldest botanical gardens in Europe.

Arranged in terraces, the gardens offer a delightful stroll among rose gardens, stone pines, and refreshing fountains. A true breath of fresh air in the city!

The View of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum

From the heights of the Palatine Hill, the view of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum is simply exceptional. Captain Ulysses highly recommends taking the time to wander around the site and soak in the ancient Roman history under the shade of the stone pines. Sounds like a great plan, right?

Practical Information

Getting to the Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill is located just steps from the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

The nearest public transport stop is Colosseo station on Metro line B. Buses 60, 75, 84, 85, 87, 117, 175, 186, 271, 571, 810, and 850 also stop near the Palatine Hill.

Opening Hours of The Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill is open every day of the week. Opening hours vary by season:

The last entry is one hour before closing time.

Tickets for The Palatine Hill and Guided Tours

⚠️ Palatine Hill is one of Rome’s most iconic tourist sites and attracts many visitors. To avoid wasting time in line, be sure to book your tickets in advance:
Skip-the-line tickets for Palatine Hill the Roman Forum.

For information, entry to the Colosseum is also included in the Roma Pass.

If you love historical anecdotes or don’t want to miss anything, Captain Ulysses highly recommends a guided tour. Guided tours are particularly enriching for ancient sites where it can be hard to envision the past without expert insights.
Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill (available in several languages)

Credits
Melissa Delzio | Elan Ruskin | Anthony Majanlahti | Wikimedia | Michael Gaylard