Piazza del Campidoglio

The Campidoglio Square, or Piazza del Campidoglio, is one of Rome’s most iconic civic spaces, masterfully redesigned by Michelangelo in the 16th century.

Commissioned by Pope Paul III in 1536 to impress Emperor Charles V during a visit, Michelangelo transformed the neglected Capitoline Hill into a symbol of Rome’s renewed grandeur. His design reoriented the square away from the Roman Forum, turning it instead toward St. Peter’s Basilica to reflect the city's evolving Christian identity. At its center stands an ancient bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (now a replica), around which Michelangelo arranged a harmonious trapezoidal piazza paved with an elegant star pattern. He unified the surrounding architecture—Palazzo Senatorio, Palazzo dei Conservatori, and Palazzo Nuovo—through matching facades and grand staircases, creating a balanced and symmetrical ensemble. Though completed after his death, the project remained faithful to his vision, blending classical inspiration with Renaissance ideals of order and proportion. Today, the Campidoglio remains a powerful expression of civic pride and architectural innovation, serving as the seat of the Roman city government and a testament to Michelangelo’s genius in urban design.