City on seven hills

Italian capital - Rome stands on seven hills and archeological researches proof that all they were settled by VI century by the Romans. The hills, upon which the ancient city of Rome was built, include Palatine, Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Quirinal, and Viminal hills.
Palatine is the place where the first Roman settlement appeared. It was a district of noble families and emperors' palaces.
Aventine since its very beginning was a prestigious residential district. It's still is now. Aventine could be named the calmest part of Rome.
Quirinal is the highest one of the Roman hills (61 meters). Nowadays it's crowned with Piazza del Quirinalle.
Capitoline was a fortress in ancient times. Later the temple of Jupiter was raised here. It was a place where festive processions after Roman military triumphs climbed.
On Esquiline Santa Maria Maggiore church was established in VI century. It's still one of the most significant churches in Rome. It was a district of nobility and ruins of the ancient mansions are still a part of the landscape there.
Viminal hill is residential district built near the Diocletian Thermae.
Under reign of Tullus Hostilius, the entire population of Alba Longa was forcibly resettled on the Caelian Hill. In Republican-era Rome the Caelian Hill was a fashionable residential district and the site of residences of the wealthy.
Rome is one of the most significant art treasuries of the world. Many noble families started their art collections since XVI century. At present, the most of the collections are protected by the state.
Museums and galleries also exhibit pearls of world cultural heritage. Borghese Gallery possesses an excellent collection of antique and baroque art. Palazzo Massimo alle Terme has the most complete collection of antique art, mosaics and numismatics. Musei Capitolini present a complex of art galleries and exhibition halls with antique sculpture and mosaics. Palazzo Barberini is one of the best Italian museums devoted to Renaissance.
Rome is the only city with an independent state within its borders - Vatican. With its very small area, Vatican is one of the most powerful states in the world. The heart of Vatican is Saint Peter's Cathedral.