A discovery of the art and famed location that defines the beginning of Rome, this tour of the Capitoline Museums, Capitoline Hill and surroundings illustrates the legendary past of the Eternal City.

From Trajan’s Column in the Imperial Fora your guide will put the Capitoline into context with the modern Victor Emmanuel II Monument (Il Vittoriano), a major monument of Italy commemorating the Italian Revolution and unification.

From the Vittoriano you will walk Michelangelo’s Renaissance staircase to Piazza Campidoglio atop the Capitoline Hill where the ancient bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius awaits you. One of the seven hills of Rome the Capitoline’s history characterizes it as the first capitol of the Roman World and in fact it is from this very hill that we derive the word “capitol.”

With a thorough tour inside the Capitoline Museums you will explore the oldest public museum collection in the world. Founded originally by Pope Sixtus IV in 1471 the Capitoline Museums now house some of the most famous and definitive pieces of art such as the Dying Gaul, Capitoline Venus, original colossal bronze sculpture of Marcus Aurelius, Capitoline She-Wolf, Bernini’s Medusa, and the colossal statue remains of Constantine.

Enjoy the best view of the Roman Forum from the Tabularium underneath the Capitoline Museums before re-emerging to Michelangelo’s Piazza Campidoglio. You will end your visit of the Capitoline Hill overlooking the skyline of Rome upon the terraces of the Victor Emmanuel Monument- the modern tribute to the Italian Republic and memory of the Italian Risorgimento.

This walking tour of Rome’s mythic origins and legendary beginnings up to its modern grandeur encompasses the center of the civilization created and cultivated by the Romans leaving any visitor in awe of the humble beginnings which evolved into the most famous of empires.

• 39.00 euro per adult
• 34.00 euro per child (4-14)
• Infants up to 3 years old travel for free and do not require a reservation.

Sites Visited

• Sites visited include but are not limited to Trajan’s Column (Forum), Piazza Venezia, Victor Emmanuel II Monument (Il Vittoriano), Piazza Campidoglio (Michelangelo’s Staircase & ancient bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius), and the Capitoline Museums (Palazzo dei Conservatori, Tabularium, Palazzo Nuovo)

Operating Days

• Sundays & Thursdays

Duration

• 3 hours

Blackout Dates

• May 1, April 2, 2010

Season

• This tour is only available from March 25 to October 24 yearly.

• Entry into Capitoline Museums entrance ticket and reservation fee
  English speaking tour guide
  Groups no larger than 25 people

Exclusions

• Gratuities
• Hotel pick-up/drop-off

Meeting Time

• 9:15AM
• Late arrivals will not be tolerated and no refunds will be given for those who arrive after 9:30AM, with no exceptions.

Meeting Point

• Platform and overlook directly in front of Trajan’s Column. Trajan’s Column is located at Via dei Fori Imperiali next to Piazza Venezia and across the street from the Victor Emmanuel II Monument.

Ending point: This tour ends at the Victor Emmanuel Monument (Vittorio Emanuele)
This tour involves a fair amount of walking and comfortable shoes are recommended.
It is the individual responsibility of all visitors to arrive at the tour departure points.

Redemption Policies

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time and present your voucher to the tour coordinator.

Cancellation Policy

Tours must be cancelled no less than 72 hours prior to the date of the tour for a full refund. No partial refunds are given and no shows or late shows, whatever the reason, will not be tolerated.