Palatine Hill preserves remains of Iron Age settlements linked to Rome’s earliest development. It later became a residential area for the Roman aristocracy, with decorated houses. Augustus established his residence here, followed by a succession of imperial palaces, including the Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana. These complexes were connected in part by decorated underground passages. In the Renaissance, aristocratic families created villas and gardens, and elements such as the Horti Farnesiani remain visible today.