Tour of Rome: The Palatine Hill
The Palatine hill is one of the seven hills of Rome. It is one of the older parts of the city. High of 70 meters, between the Roman forum and the Maximus Circus. It became a large museum on air.
The "Domus Augustana" is completed in 26 bC. Among these buildings, the first was a very large Library, with Latin and Greek works. Augustus often organized there literary and oratorical receptions with the best artists and men of letters. After the library, the temple of Apollo, entirely built out of white pink marble of Carrara, with a carved ivory door. In front of the palate there was even a temple of Vesta. Today the only part of this time which remains is the house of Livia. At the death of Augustus, the successors lived on the Palatine hill, who became thus the usual residence of the imperial families. The emperor Tiberus, successor of Augustus made set up Domus Tiberiana, now covered by the Farnese Garden. The most monumental part of Palatine is the "Palate of Flavi" set up by Domitius. The main part was a basilica. The enlargings of the imperial residence are due to Tiberus and Caligula. Neron build the domus Transitoria and the garden which connects the Palatine hill to the Esquilin hill.
The building was demolished by the Pope Sisto V, it remains however a very large terrace from which a marvellous panorama is admired. Septime Severus also built the Thermal baths which remains.
Like the Forum, the imperial palates were abandoned when Rome was deserted. In the Middle Ages one built here fortifications and gardens of rich families. Farnese and Barberini created there parks and vines, of which the famous "Farnesina Gardens" filled with decorative plants. Today, as in much of other places of Rome, the excavations continue on the Palatine.
