"LA STORIA"

DOMUS AUGUSTANA

Legend recounts that Palatine is the place where two brothers Romolo and Remo grew in a cave fed by a she-wolf. Certainly this is one of the eldest place populated in Rome as some rests of the IX century B.C. have been found by archeologists some years ago. Instead it's absolutely sure that Palatino Hill was in the ancient Rome the favourite place to live as well as the most expensive. Cicerone and Catullo had their residence here and Ottaviano, later became emperor Augusto, was born on the Palatine and lived here till his death in 14 A.D. Augusto's house or what archeologists thougth to recognize as his house is still well kept nowadays before the Livia's house, Augusto's wife, immediately after the entrance to Palatine Hill. Both these houses are part of the larger one that originally was inhabitated by Augusto and Livia. The house is open and keeps some frescoes very well preserved. But Augusto was not the only emperor who lived on Palatino. All the successive emperors or Rome wanted to stay here but Nero who however built the huge Domus Area linking it to Palatine through the Criptoportico, a series of underground corridors. Domiziano, Rome's emperor between 81 and 96 A.D., built the Domus Flavia and the Domus Augustana. The first was the public house of the emperor while the second the private. After him all the emperors lived in this house till Costantino decided to move the capital of the empire to Nicomedia. Domus Flavia still shows aome part of the walls and the skeleton of a fountain. Domiziano, Vespasiano's son and Tito's brother (79-81), governed well Rome only at the beginning as later became paranoid at the point that wanted in this house a series of mirrors to know in every moment and in every place if someone was behind him. He was murdered on his bed with a conspiracy organized by his officials and his wife Domizia.
Also Tiberio, who succeeded to Augusto Ottaviano in 14 AD. wanted his palace on the Palatine but the ruins are now buried below Farnese Gardens wanted by cardinal Alessandro III in XVII cent. who used to come here for partying with his friends. Palatine Hill surely is worthy of visiting both for its history and the beautiful panorama visitors could enjoy from here. The entrance is from the Roman Forum close to Titus' Arch.

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FONTANA	FONTANA OTTAGONALE	STADIO

Domus Flavia has 2 beautiful fountains still visible today. The first was situated before the lunch hall to be admired by emperor and his guests. The second, with an octagonal shape, was at the center of the courtyard. Last area we like to mention if the suggestive stadium attached to Domus Augustana. It's still visible the semicircular terrace from where emperors watched races.

Opening hours: Daily from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 hr before sunset. Dec 24th and 31st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.The box-office closes 1 hour before. Closed on Monday and Jan 1st, May 1st, Dec 25th.
Tickets: FULL 8.00 €. REDUCED 4,20 € (European Union citizens between 18 and 25 years old; - European Union teachers of State schools only by showing valid membership card); FREE € 2 (European Union citizens under 18 and over 65 years old. - ICOM members (only by showing valid membership card) - European Union school groups, upon reservation. - European Union students and teachers in Architecture, History of Arts only by showing valid membership card. - Journalists only by showing valid membership card)