Where does the name of the hill come from?
The name of the hill is derived from the deity Pales. Today, it is no longer known whether Pales was male, female, a couple or a group of deities. In honor of the deity, the festival Parilia was celebrated on April 21st. This festival is also associated with the founding of the city of Rome, which is dated to April 21st.Architectural journey of discovery
According to archaeological findings, the Palatine Hill was already inhabited in 1000 BCE. Only magnificent villas of nobles, aristocrats, consuls, or speakers were built on the Palatine Hill. Among them still stands today the humble hut in which Romulus is said to have lived. To find out why the Palatine Hill resembles a park, one must look back to the 16th century. Farnese Gardens were created to transform the Palatine Hill into a park idyll.
One of the most recent discoveries is the cave of Romulus and Remus. It was found in 2007, 16m (52,5ft) deep in the hill. Even today, shells and marble can be found inside it.The House of Augustus
The Domus Augustea featured a private and a public area and was the residence of the Emperor Augustus. Besides elaborate wall paintings, Roman painting, and mosaic floors, here one can find the 'Room of Masks'.The Hut of Romulus and Remus
According to legend, Romulus and Remus wanted to build a city where they were once found. In a dispute, Romulus killed Remus and thus became the founder of Rome. Today, his hut is still located on the Palatine Hill. Also, the cave where Romulus and Remus were suckled by the she-wolf La Lupa was discovered during an excavation in 2007 at a depth of 16m (52,5ft). After 3000 years, does the legend become reality?The Stadium of Domitian
The stadium was built in 86 CE and was used for athletic competitions. Today, the stadium's grandeur can still be admired, as it is one of the best-preserved buildings of the Palatine Hill.The House of Livia
Livia is known as the third wife of Augustus and mother of Tiberius. The residence is especially known for its well-preserved paintings and beautiful frescoes.The Palatine Museum
State-of-the-art multimedia installations meet a valuable collection of exhibits from the 1st to the 4th century CE at the Palatine Museum. The museum primarily serves to preserve archaeological findings and provides insight into the life of ancient Rome.Other Highlights
Furthermore, you can see additional houses or palaces such as the Domus Transitoria and the remains of the Domus Aurea, Nero's cryptoporticus (an underground tunnel), the secret passage of Emperor Domitian, or the Farnese Gardens.