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PALATINE
HILL in ROME |
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"THE
HISTORY"
DOMUS
AUGUSTANA |
Legend
recounts that Palatine is the place where two brothers Romolo and
Remo grew in a cave fed by a she-wolf. Certainly this
is one of the eldest place populated in Rome as some rests of the
IX century B.C. have been found by archeologists some years ago. Instead
it's absolutely sure that Palatino Hill was in the ancient Rome the
favourite place to live as well as the most expensive. Cicerone and
Catullo had their residence here and Ottaviano, later became emperor
Augusto, was born on the Palatine and lived here till his death in
14 A.D. Augusto's house or what archeologists thougth to recognize
as his house is still well kept nowadays before the Livia's house,
Augusto's wife, immediately after the garden of Palatine Hill. Both
these houses are part of the larger one that originally was inhabitated
by Augusto and Livia. The house is open and keeps some frescoes very
well preserved. But Augusto was not the only emperor who lived on
Palatino. All the successive emperors or Rome wanted to stay here
but Nero who however built the huge Domus Area linking it to Palatine
through the Criptoportico, a series of underground corridors. Domiziano,
Rome's emperor between 81 and 96 A.D., built the Domus Flavia and
the Domus Augustana. The first was the public house of the emperor
while the second the private. After him all the emperors lived in
this house till Costantino decided to move the capital of the empire
to Nicomedia. Domus Flavia still shows aome part of the walls and
the skeleton of a fountain. Domiziano, Vespasiano's son and Tito's
brother (79-81), governed well Rome only at the beginning as later
became paranoid at the point that wanted in this house a series of
mirrors to know in every moment and in every place if someone was
behind him. He was murdered on his bed with a conspiracy organized
by his officials and his wife Domizia.
Also Tiberio, who succeeded to Augusto Ottaviano in 14 AD. wanted
his palace on the Palatine but the ruins are now buried below Farnese
Gardens wanted by cardinal Alessandro III in XVII cent. who used to
come here for partying with his friends. Palatine Hill surely is worthy
of visiting both for its history and the beautiful panorama visitors
could enjoy from here. The entrance is from the Roman Forum close
to Titus' Arch. |
CLICK
IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM |
FLAVIA
FOUNTAIN |
VIEW
and OCTAGONAL FOUNTAIN |
STADIUM |
Domus
Flavia has 2 beautiful fountains still visible today. The first
was situated before the lunch hall to be admired by emperor and
his guests. The second, with an octagonal shape, was at the center
of the courtyard. Last area we like to mention if the suggestive
stadium attached to Domus Augustana. It's still visible the semicircular
terrace from where emperors watched races.
Opening
hours: Daily from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1
hr before sunset. Dec 24th and 31st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.The box-office
closes 1 hour before. Closed on Monday and Jan 1st, May 1st, Dec
25th.
Tickets: FULL 8.00 €. REDUCED
4,20 € (European Union citizens between 18 and 25 years old; - European
Union teachers of State schools only by showing valid membership
card); FREE € 2 (European Union citizens under 18 and over 65 years
old. - ICOM members (only by showing valid membership card) - European
Union school groups, upon reservation. - European Union students
and teachers in Architecture, History of Arts only by showing valid
membership card. - Journalists only by showing valid membership
card) |
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