Viminale

Viminale, also known as Colle Viminale, is the smallest of the seven hills of Rome. It lies in the central area of the city, between the Quirinal and Esquiline hills, near major transport corridors and the Termini area. The hill is part of Rome’s historic center and contributes to the city’s topography surrounding the central districts.

The name Viminale is of uncertain origin, but it is commonly linked to the Latin vimina or vimen, meaning twigs, wicker, or willow thickets, suggesting vegetation that once grew on the site. The hill’s gentle profile rises above the surrounding plains and contrasts with the rougher forms of some neighboring hills.

In ancient times, the Viminale area was integrated into the early development of Rome and hosted residential and religious structures as the city expanded beyond the oldest quarters. Over centuries, the eastern hills became increasingly linked to urban administration, commerce, and public life as Rome grew into a central political and cultural hub.

Modern significance centers on the Palazzo del Viminale, the seat of the Ministry of the Interior. Because of this association, the term Viminale is widely used as a metonym for the ministry in Italian politics and journalism. Today the hill remains a notable reference point in Rome’s central geography and urban landscape.