The Roman Forum

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In italian : Foro Romano

The Roman Forum is one of the most fascinating places in Rome, for several reasons, where you can immerse yourself in the history of the city. This is already thanks to the extent of the archaeological site, nearly 600 meters in length. Then there are numerous and varied remains, sometimes very well preserved, temples, public buildings, commemorative arches, etc. It was indeed the heart of the civil life of the Romans, place of celebrations, trade, worship, and the administration of the city.
The buildings currently visible are thus of different eras. Over time, the oldest monuments were buried under the earth or used as foundations for new constructions.

Description and history

The Roman Forum was for centuries the main square of the city, around which the ancient Rome developed. It was the place of commerce, business, religious worship, politics, city administration and justice, and also prostitution. The Forum was continually crowded with lawyers, priests, litigants, and merchants. From the tribune of the Rostra, politicians usually addressed the people.

View over the forum from Via Tarpea

It was around 600 BC, under the Etruscan king Tarquin the Elder, that the marshland of this area was drained, notably thanks to the Cloaca Maxima canal. Then it was paved and became the center of the city.
Major public buildings were erected there as the Arch of Septimius Severus whose bas-reliefs represent the victories of Rome over the eastern peoples, the Rostras decorated with prows of captured warships, the public galleries or the curia where the Roman Senate sat.
Along the Via Sacra that crosses the Forum from east to west the victorious generals marched to give thanks in the Temple of Jupiter located at the top of the Capitol. This alley passed by the main monuments of worship such as the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Vesta, with the House of the Vestals where the sacred fire “of the power of Rome” was maintained by the virgins said vestals, or by now the church of Saints Luke and Martin.

Showcase of Roman power, in the 1st century BC, the place became too narrow. Julius Caesar took the opportunity to build another forum by increasing its prestige. Later, under the empire, it was supplemented by other forums, including those of Augustus and Trajan.

Information, access and timetable

24H cumulative ticket (Coliseum, Roman Forum and Palatine) valid 24 hours OR Super Forum Pass Ticket valid 30 days (Roman Forum, Imperial Forums, and Palatine).
Full rate 16 € (+ 2 € booking); Reduced rate 2 € (+ 2 € booking) for residents of the European Union between 18 and 24 years.
Free for residents of the European Union under 18 years as well as other cases.

Websites: official website