CAMPIDOGLIO

Speranza

THE CAPITOLINE buildings remained unchanged until the middle of the CINQUECENTO, when they cast off their fifteenth-century appearance to assume that of the imposing MATURE RENAISSANCE.

In fact, for nearly a CENTURY but few and insignificant works were undertaken on the CAMPIDOGLIO.

As the negligence of the magistrates and the tumultous events of that period (it suffices to cite the SACK of Rome by the IMPERIALISTS in 1527), had reduced the CAPITOLINE PALACES to a state of EXTREME DECAY.

PAUL III (Farnese, 1534-1549) possibly also because of the IMPENDING VISIT OF CHARLES V, finally YIELDED to the repeated solicitations of the CONSERVATORI, and ordered the RENOVATIONS of their palace, and a re-organisation of the CAMPIDOGLIO on lines worthy of the site, entrusting the difficult task to BUONARROTI.