The political and religious centre of ancient Rome. Another
chance to look back at the Forum without the crowds. The Campidoglio,
designed by Michelangelo in 1536, but almost entirely built after
his death, is a trapezoidal square, with three monumental palazzi
focused on the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, now safely
stored inside. The two museums house fine collections of classical
statuary and Old Master paintings. The Museo Capitolino on the
north side contains Marcus Aurelius, the Dying Gaul, which so
impressed Byron, and the Capitoline Venus. The Palazzo dei Conservatori,
on the south side, has the Spinario (the boy pulling a thorn
from his foot), which influenced so many Renaissance sculptors,
and several paintings by Caravaggio.
