Understand
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Map of Ancient Rome tour
Many guided tours take a similar route.
Some of these attractions need a ticket and/or waiting time to enter, including the Forum Romanum itself.
Destinations
[edit]- 1 Colosseum, Piazzale del Colosseo / Via dei Fori Imperiali. Known properly as the Flavian Amphitheatre, this most famous of Roman landmarks takes its name from the giant statue of the emperor Nero that once stood near this location. The amphitheatre was capable of seating 50,000 spectators for animal fights and gladiatorial combats. It was a project started by the Emperor Vespasian in 72 and completed by his son Domitian sometime in the 80s. The Colosseum when completed measured 48 m high, 188 m in length, and 156 m in width. The wooden arena floor was 86 m by 54 m, and covered by sand. Tickets needed to enter, but it is well visible.
- 2 Arch of Constantine (Arco di Costantino). Located a short walk west of the Colosseum, this well-preserved monumental arch was erected (soon after 315) to commemorate the victory of Constantine, the first Christian emperor, over his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. In general design, the Arch of Constantine imitates the century-earlier Arch of Septimius Severus (nearby in the Forum). The three arches are decorated utilizing mainly materials plundered from other imperial monuments by Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. The quality of its sculptural decoration, however, betrays the slow degradation that Classical Roman sculpture had experienced in the 3rd century AD.
- 3 Palatine Hill, Via di San Gregorio 30 (Right next to the Roman Forum). Contains the ruins of several large villas that belonged to wealthy Roman families.
- 4 Arch of Titus. Built in 81 AD by the emperor Domitianus in dedication to his brother Titus, who died earlier that year and reigned as emperor from 79-81, overseeing the opening of the Colosseum in 80 and the eruption of Mt Vesuvius the previous year.
- Imperial Fora (Fori Imperiali), Via dei Fori Imperiali. Amazing series of attractions treated as separate from but physically connected to the Roman Forum. Includes the Forum of Caesar, Forum of Augustus, Temple of Peace, Forum of Nerva, Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Markets and Museum of the Imperial Fora, Domitian Terrace, and excellent documentation of all plus the land use of the area before and since the construction of the fora. Much excavation and study is continuing, and visitors are largely confined to paths, unlike in the Roman Forum, where they can walk more freely in many areas, but there is a lot to see and unbroken sight lines.
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- 5 The Roman Forum (Foro Romano), Largo della Salara Vecchia 5/6. Working hours the same as Colosseum. If stones could talk: these hallowed ruins were the most powerful seat of government in the world. To stand in the political, legal and religious centre of the whole Roman Empire brings shivers down one's spine. It is the best way of imagining the splendour and glory of ancient Rome. Located in a small valley between the Capitoline and Palatine hills, access to the Forum is by foot only, from an entrance on the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Wheelchair access is available for most of the Forum but be aware that the path is often bumpy due to it containing original stones from the ancient Roman period. The Forum is much less crowded than the Colosseum and, from a historical perspective, much more interesting. Standard admission is €18, and the ticket includes entrance to the Imperial Forum and Palatine Hill as well. Free entry on the first Sunday of the month (no reservation possible).
- 6 Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina (Tempio di Antonino e Faustina). Built in 141 AD and dedicated to the Empress Faustina; after her husband emperor Antoninus Pius died in 161 AD the temple was rededicated to the couple.
- 7 Basilica Aemilia. Completed in 179 BC.
- 8 Curia (Senate House). The 4th rebuilding of the meeting place for the Roman Senate, once converted into a church during the Middle Ages, but now restored since the 1930s.
- 9 Lapis Niger (Black Stone).
- 10 Arch of Septimius Severus (Arco di Settimio Severo). Erected in 203. You can see it close up from Via della Curia also (without entering the Forum).
- 11 Temple of Saturn (Tempio di Saturno).
- 12 Temple of Divine Julius Caesar (Tempio di Divo Giulio Cesare). Finished in 29 BC, marks the spot of Caesar's spontaneous cremation and Mark Antony's funeral speech, made famous by Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar ("Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears ...").
- 13 Temple of Castor and Pollux.
- 14 Tabularium, Foro Romano. The remains of the ancient Roman archives, where Cicero and Seneca did research. Visible from the Forum and accessible through the Capitoline Museum.
- 6 Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina (Tempio di Antonino e Faustina). Built in 141 AD and dedicated to the Empress Faustina; after her husband emperor Antoninus Pius died in 161 AD the temple was rededicated to the couple.