In 1536 Pope Paul III asked Michelangelo to design a modern square, aimed to bring the old splendour to the ancient centre of the city, devastated and ruined in Middle Ages.
The artist designed the square with the large entry road Cordonata and reesigned the facades of two already existing buildings: Palazzo Senatorio and Palazzo di Conservatori. He also suggested the new building Palazzo Nuovo, to close proportionally the square, which begin to face the modern city with the Pope residence in front.
The construction works lasted over hundred years, and after death of Michelangelo, was continued by Giacomo della Porta, Martino Longhi Older and Girolamo Rainaldi, each of them introduced minor changes into the original plan. The balustrade and several sculptures were not planned by Michelangelo.
The monument already staying in the middle of the square had to be left on the same place, and the artist designed the neutral base to rise optically the sculpture. It was representing Marcus Aurelius, but at that time believed to be the sculpture of Emperor Constantine, who introduced the Christian religion to Roman Empire, thus significant person for the Popes. In 1980′s the sculpture undergone the solid renovation and finally moved insid of Palazzo di Conservatori. Recently the new copy adorned the base empty for several years.
Occupied by various offices of local authorities Senate House is closed for public, while Conservators’ Palace and New Palace hosts fine art galleries, commonly referred as Capitoline Museums, one of the most important collection in Rome and Italy.
[ photo courtesy of zio Paolino]
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