Palatino

The Palatine is one of the seven hills of Rome, located between the Velabro and the Roman Forum, and is one of the oldest parts of the city. The site is now a large open-air museum and can be visited during the day: the entrance is located on Via St. Gregory (admission fee), or by the Roman Forum (entrance fee). Legend has it that Rome had its origins on the Palatine. In the Republican era, the Hill was the site of various cults, notably that of Magna Mater, and several houses of the Roman ruling class. Among many Republican houses, whose remains were found under the Domus Flavia, stand out the House of the Griffins and the Aula of Isis, decorated with important frescoes. The fundamental event in the history of the hill was the fact that Augustus chose it as a residence, and since then it became natural for others Emperors reside on the Palatine. To the end of the Imperial age, the Hill was a unique series of buildings and gardens, so the word "Palatium" began to indicate the "palace" for excellence. From the sixteenth century, the Hill was property of the Farnese family, occupied by the Horti Palatini Farnesiorum, or Gardens, still partly preserved above the ruins of the Domus Tiberiana.