Audio guide

Palatine Hill

The Birthplace of an Empire

Palatine Hill

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Welcome to Palatine Hill

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Palatine Hill • Section 1 of 5

Welcome to the Palatine Hill, the very heart of the Eternal City of Rome. As you stand here today, you are walking on the centermost of the seven legendary hills that define this ancient capital. Rising forty meters above the Roman Forum, this plateau has served as a silent witness to over three thousand years of human ambition, from the first humble mud huts are thought to have been built here as far back as the tenth century Before the Common Era to the sprawling marble estates of the Caesars. You are currently standing at the site that transformed from a shepherd's pasture into the world's first center of global power. Take a deep breath and feel the breeze that once cooled the emperors; you are about to discover how a simple hill became the blueprint for every palace and seat of government across the western world.

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Quick answer

What does this Palatine Hill audio guide explain?

Welcome to the Palatine Hill, the very heart of the Eternal City of Rome. As you stand here today, you are walking on the centermost of the seven legendary hills that define this ancient capital.

Inside this guide

01Welcome to Palatine HillWelcome to Palatine Hill: Welcome to the Palatine Hill, the very heart of the Eternal City of Rome. As you stand here today, you are walking on the centermost of the seven legendary hills that define this ancient capital.
02The Legend of the FoundingThe Legend of the Founding: Every great story needs a beginning, and for Rome, it started right beneath your feet. According to Roman mythology, it was on the southwestern slope of this hill that a she-wolf discovered and nurtured the twin brothers Romulus and Remus in a cave known as the Lupercal.
03From Hill to PalaceFrom Hill to Palace: If you have ever used the word palace to describe a grand building, you are speaking Latin without even knowing it.
04Renaissance Gardens and Hidden ViewsRenaissance Gardens and Hidden Views: As the Roman Empire faded, the Palatine Hill began a second life. During the sixteenth century, the powerful Farnese family transformed the ruins into the Orti Farnesiani, or Farnese Gardens, which are recognized today as the first private botanical gardens in Europe.
05A Legacy in LayersA Legacy in Layers: As you continue to explore these winding paths, notice how the history of Rome is like a layer cake of civilizations.

Common questions

What does this free Palatine Hill audio guide include?

It covers Welcome to Palatine Hill, The Legend of the Founding, From Hill to Palace, and Renaissance Gardens and Hidden Views, with practical context and details to notice during the visit.

What should I notice first at Palatine Hill?

Start with Welcome to Palatine Hill. The guide then connects The Legend of the Founding, From Hill to Palace, and Renaissance Gardens and Hidden Views to the place, so you know what to look for on site.

What can I ask Mappu after this Palatine Hill guide?

You can continue with follow-up questions such as "How can I see the famous frescoes inside the House of Augustus and the House of Livia?", then keep the guide connected to your map and trip plan.