Cordonata
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Cordonata and nearby attractions
The area
Neighbourhood: Trevi
A non-stop photo and souvenir opportunity, Trevi is all about action. From early morning through the wee hours, the piazza surrounding Trevi Fountain hosts a never-ending flow of tourists hoping to make a wish or take a selfie. Clever restaurants, charming gelaterias, uncanny bars, kitsch shops, and a range of hotels make up the local landscape. Beneath the bustle are the remains of an ancient neighbourhood that you can visit by heading over to a repertoire cinema and asking for a peek underground. There is something for everyone, but if peace and quiet are what you seek, plan to visit in the early morning hours.
How to get there
- Cavour • 9 min walk
- Fori Imperiali-Colosseo • 10 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
8,081 within 5 kms
Attractions
2,320 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
137 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
60
Average
13
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,168 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Approaching Capitoline Hill via the Cordonata Stairs is by far the best way to go. The monumental staircase was the formal entrance to Piazza Campidoglio so it is designed to impress.
At the base of the stairs, are a pair of ancient Egyptian lion fountains and at the top, enormous statues of the ancient Greek gods, Castor and Pollux stand either side of the staircase.
As you reach the very top, the piazza unfolds in front of you. Look in any direction, and most of what you see here was either designed or re-designed by Michelangelo in 1536.
It’s not a tough climb. It’s a gently sloping ramp, rather than a steep set of steps.
Overall, walking up to the top of Capitoline Hill is a brilliant thing to do and you can pack in a lot of sight-seeing in a short time.
At the base of the stairs, are a pair of ancient Egyptian lion fountains and at the top, enormous statues of the ancient Greek gods, Castor and Pollux stand either side of the staircase.
As you reach the very top, the piazza unfolds in front of you. Look in any direction, and most of what you see here was either designed or re-designed by Michelangelo in 1536.
It’s not a tough climb. It’s a gently sloping ramp, rather than a steep set of steps.
Overall, walking up to the top of Capitoline Hill is a brilliant thing to do and you can pack in a lot of sight-seeing in a short time.
Written June 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltoforeignlands
San Diego, CA570 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
The Cordonata is positively beautiful! It was created by none other than Michelangelo and is "home" to the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux, twin brothers of Helen of Troy--twin sons of Jupiter and Leda. Mythology has it that Jupiter came to Leda in the form of a swan. The statues are positively beautiful! (Do be prepared for the sight of full frontal nudity; however, if you are travelling with chilren; afterall this is Roman sculpture created by an avid student of human anatomy. The Dioscuri bare all as does Michelangelo's David.
Written October 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Spanish Steps Apartment
Rome, Italy33,995 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
The vast, sloping stairs are part of the overall design of the Capitoline Hill, designed by Michelangelo. The stairs are wide and the slope is gentle, supposedly so a person mounted on a horse could ride to the top. At the base are two (dry) fountains with ancient Egyptian black basalt lions; at the top are the massive marble statues of Castor and Pollux, and, of course, the beautiful piazza.
Written April 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
Pontypool, UK2,324 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Amazing statues all around Rome and no different at this location.
A beautiful setting for some ancient history.
A beautiful setting for some ancient history.
Written August 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ogi0
Sofia, Bulgaria22,826 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
A magnificent staircase designed by Michelangelo for access to Campidoglio. Unlike the staircase next to the dell'Ara Coeli church, Michelangelo here wanted to show that things could be done in an easy way (the other staircase is very steep).
Written May 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Wide enough and sloped gently enough to ride horses up in a grand procession, all the while turning one's back to the Forum (the old way). The concept is pure Michelangelo's urban plan it was his civic design that underlies the design today. See the horse sculpture at the top? A tip of the hat to the horses!
Up ahead, museums await. Musei Capitolini is one of the 5 best things we liked about Rome. Our only complaint was that we really needed an entire day to thoroughly appreciate it. There was a lot to see.
Up ahead, museums await. Musei Capitolini is one of the 5 best things we liked about Rome. Our only complaint was that we really needed an entire day to thoroughly appreciate it. There was a lot to see.
Written September 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don P
Dallas, TX13,818 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
The Capitoline Cordonata built in 1582 followed Michelangelo's plans it brings a Renaissance presence to this ancient Roman hill . This is a sloping road interrupted by shallow steps that allow horses or donkeys to climb. Walking up the Capitoline hill you are traveling through the space that has been a city for ~3000 years, although the Cordonata has only been there since 1582. It is a great experience.
Written July 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,022 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
Graceful staircase leading up to the Piazza del Compidoglio designed by Michaelangelo. The steps are shallow and low for people to ride their horses up as well as for pedestrians.
Written December 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryKop
Colorado Springs, CO2,327 contributions
Jun 2018
Really wide stairs said to have been designed by Michelangelo that lead up to the Palatine Hill overlook and the Capitoline Museums. Nice view of the Forum at the top. The stairs empty into a very busy area with a traffic circle, so pedestrians take note. Large statuary at the top of the stairs show Marcus Aureleus, Castor and Pollux.
Written August 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoCalOregonian
Murrieta, CA10,355 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
What looks like a giant stairway is actually a “graded ramp” (Cordonata} that was designed, by Michelangelo, for the passage of horses and carriages. At the top of the “stairs” are statues of Castor and Pollux.
Written June 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing