The Palatine & Aracoeli Walk
Rome, Italy
This walk crosses the Palatine, Forum, and Capitoline, where Rome’s power, faith, and civic struggles unfolded over two thousand years. It begins with imperial luxury on the Palatine, then traces how early Christianity transformed old halls and political spaces into churches and sacred sites. Along the way, it highlights the conflict between rulers and citizens, and the layers of symbolism, secrecy, and reinvention left by later popes and nobles. From Nero’s Cryptoporticus to the House of Livia, the route shows how each generation reused Rome’s oldest ground to tell new stories.
The stops
- 01 Criptoportico Neroniano / Neronian Cryptoporticus
An underground corridor on the Palatine Hill built under Emperor Nero, later incorporated into the imperial palace complex. The cryptoporticus is part of the archaeological remains associated with the Roman imperial residences.
- 02 Palatino: Il Giardino dei Farnese / The Palatin Hills: the Farnese Garden
A landscaped garden on the Palatine Hill created by the Farnese family in the 16th century atop the remains of the imperial palaces. It is notable as one of the earliest botanical gardens in Europe and for its Renaissance terraced design.
- 03 Santa Francesca Romana
Santa Francesca Romana, previously known as Santa Maria Nova, is a Catholic church situated next to the Roman Forum in the rione Campitelli in Rome, Italy.
- 04 S. Maria Antiqua / Ancient Church of Saint Mary
An early medieval church on the Roman Forum, remarkable for its 6th- to 9th-century frescoes. It preserves one of the most important surviving ensembles of early medieval wall painting in Rome.
- 05 Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli
Perched above the civic heart of Rome, this basilica bridges popular devotion and city memory.
- 06 Piazza del Campidoglio
The civic stage designed by Michelangelo, where Rome’s republican and municipal memory is performed.
- 07 Santi Sergio e Bacco al Foro Romano
Santi Sergio e Bacco al Foro Romano also called Santi Sergio e Bacco sub Capitolio was an ancient titular church in Rome, now lost.
- 08 Lapis Niger
The Lapis Niger is an ancient shrine in the Roman Forum.
- 09 Casa di Livia / House of Livia
A surviving elite Roman house on the Palatine Hill, traditionally identified with the home of Livia, wife of Augustus. The house is famous for its well-preserved wall paintings of elegant illusionistic and garden scenes.
The narration at every stop is in the app — this is the map of where it takes you, with a line on each stop.
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Walk The Palatine & Aracoeli Walk with a voice in your ear.
Download Odyssey Guide on iPhone to start this walk.
Download on the App StoreiPhone · iOS 16 and later