The public and religious life of the ancient Rome took place in the Roman Forum. Along with the Colosseum, the Roman Forum is the greatest sign of the grandeur of the Roman Empire that you’ll come across in your entire life.
The Roman Forum was forgotten and buried little by little under the earth after the Empire collapsed. Although the existence and location of the Forum was already known by the 16th century, the excavations were carried out in the 20th century.
It is an interesting fact that the Forum was built originally built in a marshy region. The area was drained by means of the Cloaca Maxima (one of the first sewer systems in the world) in the 6th century B.C.
Among the structures that have survived in whole or in part are the Cloaca Maxima, the Mamertine Prison, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Curia (senate house), the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of the Deified Caesar, the Temple of Vesta, the Temple of Romulus, the Arch of Septimius Severus and the Arch of Titus.
Highlights
Besides the numerous beautiful temples that are in the forum (Romulus, Saturn, Venus, Vesta, etc.), it is worth that you pay special attention to these points of interest:
- Via Sacra: The main street in ancient Rome which is known to link the Colosseum with the Piazza del Campidoglio.
- The Curia: In this building administrative decisions were made about the Roman government. This was done through a meeting held by the Senate.
- Arch of Septimius Severus: This is an arch erected in the year 203 A.D. in order to commemorate the third anniversary of emperor Septimius Severus as the ruler.
- Arch of Titus: A triumphal arch commemorating Rome’s victory over Jerusalem. This artistic masterpiece was built after the death of the emperor Titus.
- Temple of Antoninus and Faustina: This spectacular temple was built in the second century and is known to have set itself apart as the best preserved temple in history of Roman Forum.
- Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine: Although it has been mostly destroyed now, the size of it suggests that this was one of the most significant structures of the Roman Forum.
- Column of Phocas: This column was erected in the year 608 A.D. in honor of the emperor of Byzantium. It is over 13 meters high and is one of the few buildings to have remained standing since the time it was built.
Something you must-see
If you visit Rome without walking around the Forum, you’re probably strolling around in Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. As and when you travel along the Via Sacra, make sure to close your eyes, go back through time, and imagine it just like it was more than 20 centuries ago. This was the period when Julius Caesar walked there!
Based at
Between the Colosseum and Piazza del Campidoglio.
Mode of Transport
Metro station: Colosseo, blue line B.
Nearby Places
- Capitoline Museums (348 m)
- Piazza del Campidoglio (335 m)
- Arch of Constantine (407 m)
- Palatine Hill (424 m)
- Santa Maria in Aracoeli (412 m)
Schedule
Every day: Opening time 8:30am until one hour before sunset
25 December and 1 January: Remains closed
Ticket Price
- Combined ticket to visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine:
Adults: 12€ - Children (ages less than 17) and seniors (over the age of 65) members of the EU: Entrance is free
European Union members (ages 18 – 24): 7.50€
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