Tower of Niccolo V, Palazzo Senatorio on the Capitoline, Rome

The tower of Niccolo V was constructed in the mid-15th century by the Pope of the same name in order to fortify the Palazzo Senatorio against attack. It predates Michelangelo's 16th century development of the Capitoline Hill and was constructed as a functional watchtower at a time when the Capitoline was a largely undesirable area of ugly buildings and crumbling ruins. The staircase to the right of this picture connects the Forum Romana to the Piazza del Capidoglio.

© 2007 LACT Limited. All rights reserved. Image published under GNU Free Documentation License, version 1.2 or later..

Venice   Paris   Barcelona   Munich  Prague