What Are Rome’s Seven Hills and What Is Visible From Them?
Rome is commonly referred to as “The City of Seven Hills.”
Naturally, this is due to the fact that the ancient city was situated on and between seven hills, all of which are a part of the central area of the current capital of Italy.
Rome’s ancient borders are marked by its seven hills. These seven hills are where Rome’s original towns were founded.
What Are Rome’s Seven Hills?
The names
Aventine / Aventino,
Caelian / Celio,
Capitolino
Esquiline / Esquilino,
Palatine / Palatino,
Quirinal / Quirinale,
Viminale, and Ventine
The Servian Walls, constructed in the fourth century BC, provided protection for Rome’s seven hills. In certain areas of the city, the foundations, gates, and remnants of the Servian Walls are visible.
A gate leading to the Servian Wall was the Arch of Gallienus, which was a portion of the old Porta Esquilina.
Later fortress construction in Rome comprised hills with well-known names, such the Vatican, Pincian hills, and Janiculum (Gianicolo), as well as the Aurelian Walls (3rd century AD) and the Leonine City (9th century AD).
Map of Rome’s Seven Hills
The original seven hills of Rome are all located east of the Tiber River.
After this brief overview of history, you might be asking what is currently seen from Rome’s Seven Hills. The original seven hills of Rome are described below, along with links to useful Google Street View maps.
The Aventino Colle | Aventine Hill
One of the most peaceful parts of Rome is the Aventine Hill, which is located in the southwest quadrant of the city. It is mostly residential and well-known for its green streets.
Romans like going to the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) in the Aventine, which offers a broad perspective of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Knights of Malta headquarters, renowned for its keyhole view of St. Peter’s Basilica, is located on the same street. Additionally, the historic Santa Sabina Basilica is situated on the Aventine Hill.
Use Street View on Google Maps to Investigate the Aventine Hill
Colle Celio | Caelian Hill
One of the main attractions of the Caelian Hill, often called the “Chellian” Hill, is the Baths of Caracalla. It is located south of the Colosseum.
Many Romans visit the 16th-century Villa Celimontana (Caelian Mountain Villa) during warmer months because of its peaceful surroundings. There’s an annual jazz festival held on the grounds of the estate.
Youth Observer Numerous exquisite churches can be found on and around the Caelian Hill’s slopes, such as Santo Stefano Rotondo, San Gregorio, and Santi Giovanni e Paolo, which is a well-liked venue for weddings.
Colle Capitolino | Capitoline Hill
Capitoline Hill is home to the Capitoline Museums and the Roman government’s headquarters. The Campidoglio and Capitolium are other names for the Capitoline.
The Santa Maria in Aracoeli church is located on the hill’s upper slope.
Esquiline Hill | Esquilino Colle
Nero constructed his “Golden House” (Domus Aurea) on Esquiline Hill.
Much of the Esquiline Hill is now covered in storefronts and residential buildings, particularly in the vicinity of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which sits atop the hill.
The lesser Oppian Hill, or Colle Oppio, is located on the southwest spur of the Esquilino and offers views of the Colosseum.
Colle Palatino | Palatine Hill
The original hill of all the hills in Rome is the Palatine, the alleged birthplace of Romulus and Remus. This is the primary archaeological site in Rome. Travel tip: You may purchase a ticket that includes admission to the Roman Forum, Colosseum, and Palatine Hill.
Quirinal Hill | Quirinale Colle
The principal landmark atop Quirinal Hill is the Quirinal Palace, home of the Italian President. Since its construction in 1583, popes, kings, and presidents have called the palace home.
Of the seven hills that make up Rome, the highest is Quirinal Hill. Because of the conspicuously placed horse-tamer (Dioscuri) sculptures in the expansive Piazza del Quirinale, the locals refer to it as “Monte Cavallo” (Horse Mountain).
From the summit of Quirinal Hill, there are winding streets and staircases that descend to the Trevi Fountain.
Viminal Hill | Viminale Colle
Inside the Diocletian Baths, which are currently housed in the National Roman Museum / © Melanie Renzulli
Romans frequently refer to the Ministry of the Interior when they speak of the Viminale. This is due to the fact that the main government office in Italy is situated on the smallest of Rome’s Seven Hills, the Viminale.
The Diocletian Baths, which are currently housed in the National Roman Museum, were also located in the Viminale. Rome’s main train station, Termini, is just a short stroll away.
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