PALATINE HILL - THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF THE EMPEROR - DOMUS AUGUSTANA

DOMUS AUGUSTANA

 Private residence of the emperor with small rooms alternated to spacious areas all arranged around the peristyle

The construction was based on two levels: an upper level at the same height of the Domus Flavia, and a lower one about 12 m (40 feet) below

The upper floor was arranged around a large peristyle colonnade in the center with a pool of water and a small temple on high podium at the center, maybe dedicated to Minerva

In one of the rooms around the peristyle there is the LOGGIA MATTEI with a set of columns

It was reduced to a room in 1595 when the owners, members of the Mattei family, had the ceiling built as a vault

The recently restored frescoes (about 1520) were reintegrated with the round zodiac signs returned by the Metropolitan Museum in New York, while the painted walls are preserved in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg

At the bottom center of the peristyle is a fountain with pattern of peltae (small shields) facing each other

COLUMNATED EXEDRA

Façade of the Domus Augustana on the Circus Maximus, which was originally made out of a two-story colonnade to allow the emperor and his court to watch the races

“LIVIA’S BATHS”

It is in fact a complex of buildings related in part to Nero's Domus Transitoria (temporary house) and partly to the Domus Aurea (golden house)

Above the Domus Transitoria, destroyed by fire in AD 64, were laid the foundations of the Domus Aurea, never finished, that Domitian reused for its imperial palace

“PEDAGOGIUM”

Structure of the Domitian's period (81/96)

It was believed to be the school for the imperial servants (Pedagogium), which is, however, known to have been on the Celium Hill

The name comes from one of the graffiti of the Severan period visible in one of the rooms (“exit de paedagogio”)

One of the most famous graffiti is a crucifix with a donkey's head and Greek inscription: “Alexamenos worships (his) god”. Probably a very early mockery of the Christian religion

It was most likely the residence of the imperial pages

It was excavated in mid-1800s for Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, the owner of the area at the time

Double row of small rooms with mosaics and plastered along a peristyle arbitrarily rebuilt by Luigi Canina (1795/1856) using parts not belonging to the building

DOMUS PRAECONUM

Structure of the Septimius Severus' period (193/235)

In a room on the walls there are a number of male figures in natural size as well as a floor mosaic with a procession of eight men carrying a banner

It was therefore believed that this building was the Domus Praeconum, the seat of the college for the heralds

An inscription however identify it more convincingly as the Seat of Nuntii Circi, messengers of the circus

PALATINE HILL - EASTERN SIDE

ENTRANCE ON VIA DI S. GREGORIO

Gate by Jacopo Barozzi aka Vignola (1507/73) moved here from its original location on the Sacred Way

Entering it is possible to see the remains of buildings with vaults not yet studied that perhaps had functions of substructure

AQUEDUCT OF CLAUDIUS

Segment of the aqueduct that connected the Celium Hill with the Palatine Hill built by Domitian (81/96) in continuation of that of Nero (54/68) from the Spes Vetus (Porta Maggiore) to the Celium Hill, in turn a continuation of the Aqueduct of Claudius (41/54) 69 km (43 miles) long from the valley of the Aniene River

SEPTIZODIUM SEVERI

Known as Septizodium or according to some archaeologists, Septizonium

It was the monumental façade of a fountain-nymphaeum adorned with columns to impress those who came from the Appian Way

Demolished in about 1588 by order of Pope Sixtus V Peretti (1585/90) to obtain building materials with which to construct various buildings, including the Sistine Chapel in the Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore, elements of the façade of S. Girolamo degli Illirici and the Fountains of the Crossroads of the Quattro Fontane

ARCHES OF SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS

Structures of considerable height at the front end facing the Circus Maximus that had functions of substructure, to expand artificially the hill and create a platform to support the new wing of the palace at the time of Septimius Severus (193/211)

Though they are grand structures, they give only a faint idea of what was to be the grandeur of the original massive building

SEVERAN BATHS

Bathhouse from the time of Domitian (81/96)

The upper part of the building, the area of the baths, was built in later times, among which the most important is that of Septimius Severus (193/211), as shown by the marks on the bricks

The construction continued until the time of Maxentius (306/312)

MAXENTIUS BATHS

Among the Severan Baths and the Domus Augustana

Behind the building there is a cylindrical structure located towards the Circus Maximus, perhaps a latrine

Here Septimius Severus built a new imperial stage to watch the races of the Circus Maximus

SO CALLED “STADIUM“

160 x 48 m (525 x 157 feet)

At the two ends small semi-circular buildings, maybes fountains or terminal elements of the spina, the central dividing line

Originally there was a two-story portico restored in the Hadrian's period (117/138)

At the center along the east side there was the imperial box

Maybe it was the Viridarium, green space for rest and walking, and maybe even the Hippodromus Palatii

It was crossed by a wide boulevard ring from which paths and flower beds branched and it was decorated with statues and marbles

Here were found most of the statues now in the Museo Palatino

The small oval enclosure is perhaps dating back to the time of Theodoric (king of Italy 493/526) and may never have been used as an amphitheater, for gladiatorial games had been abolished for about 80 years at the time

PALATINE HILL

PALATINO

Via di S. Gregorio 30

51 m (167 feet) above sea level

It was the most suitable place for the creation of a settlement to control the area below, the so called Forum Boarium, important market near the river port

There are remains of artifacts dating back to the middle Paleolithic (100.000/35.000 BC) proving the human presence in prehistoric times although the first settlement dates from the late Bronze Age (1.300/1.200 BC)

The first urbanization took place in the early Iron Age (800/700 BC) on the top of Germalus, the place where tradition has placed the house of Romulus and in accordance with the chronological Varronian tradition locating here the foundation of Rome sixteen generations after the Trojan war, i.e. in 754/753 BC

With urbanization one refers to:

1) Agricultural increase with surpluses

2) Early secondary and tertiary activities

3) Contacts with the contemporary Greek colonization in Ischia and Cumae

The day of the foundation, April 21, was the same of the feast for the ancient cult of Pales, Italic goddess of flocks and shepherds, which would give rise to the name of the hill, Palatium

The ROMA QUADRATA (Square Rome) mentioned by Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Plutarch, Dio, Solinus and Festo included Palatine and Germalus excluding the Velia

Tacitus gives some indication of the primitive enclosure of the city, under which it is possible to hypothesize the following route, along approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles):

From S. Anastasia, along the south side of the Palatine to St. Gregory, then bend toward the Arch of Constantine, then to the Arch of Titus and S. Francesca Romana then to rejoin the track's Via San Teodoro and down the Velabro again until S. Anastasia

The ends were marked by altars:

The High Altar of Hercules in the Forum Boarium

The Altar of Consus in the valley of the Circus Maximus

The Sanctuary of the Lares at the foot of the Velia

The Curiae Veteres at the northwest corner of Palatine Hill

The hill was always a favorite place for the rich homes of notables. Among the ones who lived here in the late Republican period Marco Emilio Scaurus, Crassus, Cicero, the triumvir Mark Antony and then Augustus (27 BC/14)

His choice was followed by his successors, especially Nero (54/68), Domitian (81/96) with his architect Rabirius, Septimius Severus (193/211) and Elagabalus (218/222)

A single large complex was built called PALATIUM (the Palace) from the name of the hill and not viceversa

It was the seat of Gothic kings (as Theodoric), Byzantines exarchs, popes and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, until Otto III (983/1002)

Then there was complete abandonment and reuse of churches, convents, houses, towers and fortresses (Frangipane family)

 
In 1542 most of the hill was transformed by Jacopo Barozzi aka Vignola (1507/73) by order of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese in the VILLA DEGLI ORTI FANESIANI (Villa Farnese Gardens) which was a botanical garden, with new plants such as the acacia farnesiana

CENTOCELLE DISTRICT INN

OSTERIA DI CENTOCELLE 

Via Casilina km 8/incrocio Via Palmiro Togliatti

Domed building with articulated and complex plan, maybe dating back to the fourth century AD

The dimensions are 30 x 25 m (98 x 82 feet) to a height of 9 m (30 feet)

The original function is unknown

The location at the edge of the ancient Via Labicana would suggest a burial function but the complexity of the building leads to doubt it

It may have had commercial functions or it may have been a nympheum (fountain) although there is no trace of hydraulic pipes

HOSPITAL HOLY SPIRIT IN SAXIA - PALACE OF THE COMMANDER

Palazzo del Commendatore

Begun in 1567, maybe by Giovanni Lippi aka Nanni di Baccio Bigio (about 1513/68), finished in 1571 maybe by Ottaviano Nonni aka Ottaviano Mascherino (1524/1606)

It was the seat of the president of the hospital who had the title of Commander

Since 1941 the palace housed the Lancisiana Academy, founded in 1715 by Giovanni Maria Lancisi, doctor of Innocent XI Odescalchi (1676/89), to promote scientific progress in the medical field

In the upper gallery of the courtyard frescoes “Landscapes, weapons and grotesque” 1576/80 by the Sicilian Ercole Perillo

LANCISIANA LIBRARY

About 17,000 books about the history of medicine

LARGE HALL

Frescos “Scenes of the hospital institution” by Jacopo Zucchi (about 1542/96) and his brother Francesco Zucchi (about 1562/1622)

In the vault fresco “Science who subdues ignorance” by Tommaso Cozza

Behind a wall of the library a small window opened up to the frescoes of the Sistine Ward allowing the Commanders to scrutiny the staff caring for the sick

HOSPITAL HOLY SPIRIT IN SAXIA - NATIONAL HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF SANITARY

Museo Storico Nazionale dell'Arte Sanitaria

Opened in 1933

It includes a library with more than 10,000 publications about the history of medicine

There are many fine editions from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, including very important sixteenth century books printed by Aldus Manutius and his son

Faithful reconstruction of an old pharmacy of the seventeenth century and an alchemical laboratory

Among the pieces exhibited:

Collection of Roman and Etruscan votive vows

Horn of the Unicorn, mythical animal, but in fact a narwhal tooth, a very rare cetacean. It was believed to be an antidote against evil

Skull from the archaeological site of Boscoreale

Mauriceau syringe or rubber tube which was applied to a brass syringe to introduce holy water into the uterine cavity, in order to baptize before the birth the fetuses that were running the risk of succumbing during labor

The oldest coach of the Red Cross

Machine for grinding of china that was used here to treat malaria as early as 1632

Reconstruction of a chemistry lab of the sixteenth century

Arabic and Roman surgical instruments

HOSPITAL HOLY SPIRIT IN SAXIA

OSPEDALE S. SPIRITO IN SASSIA

Lungotevere in Sassia 1

Schola Saxonum built for Ina king of the Saxons in 727 to assist his compatriots the English pilgrims of Wessex, the south-west of England

Though not yet then a hospital in the modern sense, it is considered the first hospital in Europe

In 1050 resided here as an illustrious pilgrim King Macbeth of Scotland, later immortalized by Shakespeare's play

After the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the Norman occupation of England pilgrims dwindled drastically and the structure declined

Rebuilt in 1198 maybe, according to Vasari, by Marchionne Aretino at the behest of Innocent III of the Counts of Segni (1198/1216) and formalized in a Papal Bull in 1204

It was given to Guy of Montpellier, who had established the HOSPITALLER ORDER OF THE HOLY GHOST for the care of abandoned children, orphans and illegitimate

Rebuilt after being destroyed by fire and extended in the years 1473/78 for the Jubilee of 1475 maybe by Baccio Pontelli (about 1450/92) for Sixtus IV Della Rovere (1471/84) according to Giorgio Vasari

Vasari, however, seems to be contradicted by evidence documenting the presence of Baccio Pontelli in Rome shortly in 1477 and longer only after 1482

Expanded in the years 1665/67 with the SALA ALESSANDRINA (Alexandrine Hall) for Alexander VII Chigi (1655/67) parallel to the Sistine Ward and now used for conferences

The hospital enjoyed the proceeds of the Banco di S. Spirito (Bank of the Holy Spirit) founded in 1605 by Pope Paul V Borghese

ENTRANCE ARCH

1664 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598/1680) that contains the portal of the end of 1400s maybe by Bregno Andrea (1418/1503)

To the left ARCH OF THE EXPOSED with spinning wheel where the unwanted children were left

From that moment they became children of the institute and were registered as matris ignotae. The contraction m. ignota generated the Italian word mignotta (bitch), certainly not a very nice way to describe a woman

It is believed that this custom began here in 1198 even if there is evidence only since the sixteenth century. In 1866 there were 1179 wheels all over Italy and they were abolished only after 1870

FAÇADE FACING THE RIVER rebuilt in the years 1926/28 by Luigi Lepri

To build the levees the 1744 extension of Ferdinando Fuga (1699/1782) was destroyed. Only the PORTAL maybe by Andrea Bregno and few items are original

BUILDING ON LUNGOTEVERE IN SASSIA 1927/33

VESTIBULE

On the altar of S. Job “Canopy” about 1546 maybe by Andrea Palladio (1508/80), altarpiece by Carlo Maratta (1625/1713)

SISTINE WARD

1473/78 maybe by Baccio Pontelli 120 m long (400 feet) and the two wings BAGLIVI HALL on the left and LANCISI HALL on the right

1,000 m² (10,800 square feet) of frescoes “Stories of Sixtus IV” of the fifteenth century by various artists of the Umbrian school

St. JOHN'S HOSPITAL

OSPEDALE S. GIOVANNI

Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano/Via dell'Amba Aradam

Founded in 1348 by the Compagnia del Salvatore ad Sancta Sanctorum (Society of the Savior at the Holiest of the Holy)

The real name is Ospedale del Salvatore (Saviour's Hospital)

It was expanded in 1462 by Everso da Anguillara

In 1562 it could accommodate 230 patients

WING ON THE SQUARE

1630/36 Giacomo Mola (?/1650) together with Carlo Rainaldi (1611/91)

On the left WOMEN’S HOSPITAL, today the maternity ward, built in 1655/56 by Giovanni Antonio De Rossi (1616/95) using materials of a hospice of the thirteenth century

In the foundations there are archaeological remains of many buildings of exceptional importance, dating from the first to the fourth century AD of which has been identified the DOMUS ANNORUM, the Villa of Annius Verus, maternal grandfather of Marcus Aurelius (169/180) and father of Domitia Lucilla Minor

 

Ss. Andrea e Bartolomeo

Sts. Andrew and Bartholomew

Maybe dating back to the seventh century, built on the family home of Honorius I (625/638)

Rebuilt in 1634 by Giacomo Mola (?/1650) for Urban VIII Barberini (1623/44) and inserted in the hospital

FAÇADE about 1730

PORTAL of the fifteenth century

To the right of the façade is the ORIGINAL ENTRANCE OF S. GIOVANNI HOSPITAL dated to 1348 and, after it, a porch with lintel of the ancient HOSPITAL OF S. MICHELE with eight ancient columns

FLOOR

1462 in Cosmatesque style by Marco Diotaiuti and Giovanni Bonadies

“Tabernacle” of the fifteenth century

ALTAR ON THE RIGHT

 
Byzantine style fresco “Madonna and Child” from S. Maria Imperatrice, a demolished church in Via Quattro Coronati: according to legend, Our Lady in the painting spoke to S. Gregory the Great (590/604)

St. JAMES' HOSPITAL

OSPEDALE S. GIACOMO

Via Antonio Canova 29

Maybe 1339 with the legacy of Cardinal Pietro Colonna, as written on a plaque in the courtyard

It was also known as Ospedale S. Giacomo degli Incurabili (St. James' Hospital of the Incurables) with disarming lack of confidence in the health service of the time or Ospedale S. Giacomo in Augusta (St. James in Augusta Hospital) for its proximity to the Mausoleum of Augustus, which had been transformed into a fortress of the Colonna family

It was granted in 1515 by Leo X Medici (1513/21) to terminally ill patients with the exception of those with leprosy and plague

Most of the patients were syphilitic

Rebuilt 1519/49 by Giorgio da Coltre from a project by Antonio Cordini aka Antonio da Sangallo the Younger (1483/1546)

Of this ancient building remain the FAÇADE on Via Ripetta and a marble relief on a landing of the staircase with “Madonna” by Andrea Bregno (1418/1503)

Modified about 1584 by Francesco Capriani aka Francesco da Volterra (1535/94) who also designed the church of S. Giacomo in Augusta

Rebuilt again 1842/44 by Pietro Camporese the Younger (1792/1873)

In 1929 it was converted into a hospital emergency room and in 1950 the general hospital activity began again

In the years 2004/08 there was a very expensive complete renovation with purchase of modern medical technology, only to decide to close permanently the hospital in the same year 2008: a waste of public money for an impressively disgusting speculation by Italian corrupt politicians

A marble plaque near Via del Corso 494 recalls how this hospital has received continuously running water since 1572, coming from the Aqua Virgo roman aqueduct: it is definitely the oldest single user to have received water continuously in Rome, probably in the world

S. CAMILLO HOSPITAL

OSPEDALE S. CAMILLO

Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87

1927/29 Emanuele Caniggia (1891/1986)

Formerly Ospedale del Littorio (Hospital of Fascism), under fascism, Ospedale Ernesto Nathan (Hospital Ernesto Nathan, mayor of Rome), at the end of World War II and finally, in 1945, S. Camillo De Lellis Hospital in memory of S. Camillo De Lellis (1550/1614)

He is the patron of the Military Health and founder of the religious order dedicated to assistance to the sick

The body of S. Camillo De Lellis is buried in the church of S. Mary Magdalene

It was the first hospital in Rome to have a resuscitation in 1962

The hospital comprises two sub-hospitals: S. CAMILLO where almost all diseases are treated and FORLANINI engaged primarily in pulmonary, respiratory diseases

The complex covers an area of some 40 hectares (99 acres) in a large park with old trees

 
Until 1996, also the LAZZARO SPALLANZANI was part of the hospital, specializing in infectious diseases, but it was later sub-divided and became the autonomous INSTITUTE OF HOSPITAL CARE OF SCIENTIFIC NATURE (IRCCS)

GEMELLI POLYCLINIC HOSPITAL

OSPEDALE POLICLINICO GEMELLI

Largo Agostino Gemelli

1962/64 Gaetano Minnucci (1896/1980) in collaboration with Guido Cigni

2004. Multipurpose complex with surgery of the Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Center for Diseases of Aging

The two buildings are connected by an indoor pedestrian overpass, designed by Giuseppe Manara (1945)

It is the hospital where the pope is usually treated and it covers an area of 37 hectares (91.4 acres), almost as large as the entire Vatican City

It is connected with the UNIVERSITÀ CATTOLICA DEL SACRO CUORE (Sacred Heart Catholic University) founded by the Milanese Franciscan psychologist Agostino Gemelli (1879/1959)

DO WELL BROTHERS HOSPITAL

OSPEDALE FATEBENEFRATELLI

Piazza Fatebenefratelli

1582/84 founded by the Congregazione di S. Giovanni di Dio (Congregation of St. John of God)

Its members used to say “You do well brothers!” when begging

The congregation was founded by the Portuguese Juan Ciudad (1495/1550) who became a saint by the name of John of God

After a dissolute and wandering existence, he was converted and founded the Order of Brothers Hospitallers. He dedicated his life to the care of the sick with a modern vision of hospital care and hospitality

Patients were accepted on the basis of disease and every one of them was treated and assisted with an individual attention absolutely new for that time

St. John of God is therefore regarded as the inventor of the modern idea of a hospital

Beginning of 1700 expanded by Romano Carapecchia (1668/1738)

1867 rebuilt by Francesco Azzurri (1831/1901)

1930/34 completely renovated by Cesare Bazzani (1873/1939)

It occupies more than half of the Tiber Island continuing the functions of the place, formerly sacred to the god of medicine Aesculapius

In the eleventh century it was occupied by a shelter-shrine for sick dedicated to St. Bartholomew and managed by a community of Benedictine Sisters

HOSPITAL AND CHURCH OF Sts. MARY AND GALLICANUS

OSPEDALE E CHIESA DEI SS. MARIA E GALLICANO

Via di S. Gallicano 25a

1724/29 Filippo Raguzzini (1680/1771) for Benedict XIII Orsini (1724/30) for patients suffering from skin diseases

The hospital was one of the best in Europe in those days and in the first half of 1900s it had an important role in the fight against syphilis

Now it is a modern INSTITUTE OF DERMATOLOGY

The FAÇADE is 160 m (525 feet) long and 9 m (29.5 feet) high

“A model of urban design and, for those times, a rare example of rational hospital architecture” (Giulio Carlo Argan)

St. Gallicanus was consul under Constantine and, after moving to Ostia, he devoted himself to the care of the sick. He suffered martyrdom under Julian the Apostate (361/363)

TWO WARDS

One for male and one for female, separated by the church

ROOM FOR BOYS

1754 Costantino Fiaschetti for Benedict XIV Lambertini (1740/58)

ANATOMY THEATRE

1826 for Leo XII Sermattei (1823/29). Two semicircles with a dome

Stucco frieze “Legend of the serpent of Aesculapius and the Tiber Island and portraits of famous doctors” by Ignazio Sarti (1791/1854)

APOTHECARY 1929

CHURCH

It was consecrated in 1726

It has inner side windows to allow the sick to attend Mass

Altarpiece “St. Gallicanus recommends three sick people to the Virgin Mary” and two lunettes by the great Roman painter Marco Benefial (1684/1764)

“After 1723 he had another difficult period, during which the painter bent again to enter into an agreement of “partnership”, with Filippo Evangelisti, a mediocre pupil of Benedetto Luti, under whose name went many paintings which were completely by Benefial instead, for example, St. Gallicanus and the Sick in the church of St. Gallicanus in Rome, clearly inspired by Correggio and the Carraccis” (Evelina Borea - Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani Treccani)

HOSPITAL OF THE INFANT JESUS

OSPEDALE DEL BAMBIN GESÙ

Piazza di S. Onofrio 4

Transferred here in the years 1879/87 from Via delle Zoccolette where it had been founded ten years before by the Duchess Arabella Fits-James, wife of Marquis Salviati, to assist poor sick children

Now the Hospital of the Infant Jesus has three other locations: Santa Marinella, Palidoro and another newly built by the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

It was completely restored in the years 1926/30 and expanded in 1960

 
Now it has 600 beds and is the largest pediatric hospital in central and southern Italy