Palatine Hill
Rome is made up of 7 hills, one of the central hills is called Palatine Hill and is about 40 m high. On side of Palatine Hill looks down upon the Roman Forum and another side looks down upon the Circus Maximus. But the best view is the unobstructed view of the Colosseum. Since Augustus’s time, palaces have been built on this hill. The ruins are quite extensive and a little difficult to understand what you are looking at. We were overdressed on this day in jeans and long sleeved tops and it was very hot walking around.
This is the view from Palatine Hill, on one side you look down on where the Circus Maximus was and on another you look down on the Roman Forum.
The best view from Palatine Hill is overlooking the Colosseum. I also think its your best opportunity to get a photo with all of the Colosseum in it.
Some of the highlights of Palatine Hill include the Stadium of Domitian otherwise known as the hippodrome. Domitian was a Roman Emperor who was passionate about sports and developed his own Games similar to that of the Olympic games. Nearby is Flavian Palace built for Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus and was completed in 92 AD.
Left: Ruins of Flavian’s Palace. Right: Domitian’s Hippodrome
Tourist Information on Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Opening Hours:
08.30 – 16.30 – last Sunday of Oct to Feb 15th
08.30 – 17.00 – Feb 16th to Mar 15th
08.30 – 17.30 – Mar 16th to last Saturday of Mar
08.30 – 19.15 – last Sunday of Mar to Aug 31st
08.30 – 19.00 – Sep 1st to Sep 30th
08.30 – 18.30 – Oct 1st to last Saturday of Oct
Last admission 1 hour before closing time
Closed: January 1, 1 May and December 25
You can buy tickets online at an additional cost of € 2. The official website for tickets is: https://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm