Roman Forum – Everything You Need to Know

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The Roman Forum (Foro Romano) was the center of civic and economic life in Republican times and the Imperial period. The Via Sacra crossed the site, which led to the Capitoline Hill and served as the route of the triumphal parades of victorious generals laden with loot and accompanied by rows of prisoners.

According to historians, people first began publicity meeting in the open-air Forum around 500 BC

The Roman forum area housed many important religious, political, and social activities and was home to many ancient temples, statues, and monuments. Nowadays, it is considered one of the most famous tourist sites globally, attracting more than 4.5 million visitors annually. Previously, there was the ancient former royal residence, the Regia from 8 century BC, the Temple of Vesta from 7 century BC, and the complex of the Vestal Virgins. However, these structures were reconstructed after the rise of imperial Rome. In 179 BC, the new Basilica Aemilia was created, and all judicial activity moved there. One hundred thirty years later, Julius Caesar built the Basilica Julia and Curia Julia, so both judicial offices and the Senate became based there.

People gathered on the Forum for commercial, political, judicial, and religious aims

Later, the Forum Romanum was extended with structures such as the Trajan’s Forum and the Basilica Ulpia. Finally, the last construction was finished on this site in 312 by Constantine the Great, and it was the Basilica of Maxentius.

Tickets and Opening Hours

If you are going to visit the Roman Forum, one of the most ancient and essential sites of Rome, you will need to buy an entrance ticket, which includes a visit to the Colosseum and Palatine hill. But, of course, the best option is to book an individual guided tour to discover Roman Forum statues, buildings, and monuments, remainings of ancient palaces on the Palatine hill, innovative structures inside the Flavian Amphitheater, and recognize interesting historical facts about ancient Rome. Also, Colosseum to Roman Forum walking tours can skip the line with the same ticket price.

The entrance fee is 18 euros per person, and the ticket is valid for 48 hours.
Visiting the Roman Forum is better in the morning, so you will not spend time in queues.
From January 2 to February 15, the amphitheater, Roman Forum, and Palatine hill timings are from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, with the last admission at 3.30 pm.
From February 16 to March 15 from 8.30 am until 5 pm with the last admission at 4 pm.
From March 16 until last Saturday of March from 8.30 am until 5.30 pm with the last admission at 4.30 pm.
From the last Sunday of March to August 31, visiting hours are from 8.30 am until 7.15 pm, with the last admission at 6.15 pm.
From September 1 to September 30, from 8.30 am to 7 pm, the last admission is at 6 pm.
From October 1 to the last Saturday of October, opening hours are from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, with the last admission at 5.30 pm.
From the last Sunday in October to December 31 from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, the last admission at 3.30 pm.
Holidays are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Location: Piazza Santa Maria Nova, 53.
You can purchase tickets online with the same admission fee + 2 euros for the reservation here.
Also, you can download the Roman Forum app or audio guide (the audio guide is also available at the ticket office for additional 5 euros)
A night group tour is available every year from May 5 until October 28, where you can enjoy the Forum without crowds of tourists. It costs 20 euros per person with a reduced entry price of 18 euro
If you have more free time, don’t miss an opportunity to visit the most ancient museum in the world with essential artifacts of Roman Forum excavations – the Capitoline Museums
Ticket offices location: from Palatine Hill located in Via San Gregorio 30; Piazza Santa Maria Nova 53
Here’s the map of the Roman Forum:

Visiting Roman Forum with Kids

It is really hot in Rome on summer days, so it is better to visit the Forum in the morning or in the late afternoon since it is an open-air area under the sun.
Please bring a water bottle and snacks for children since there are no shops on its territory.
A sling or a baby carrier is better, don’t forget about the cobbled streets of ancient Rome.
Don’t worry; Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine hill are spacious and exciting for children.
Wear comfortable shoes.

Interesting Facts

The speakers stood on the rostra (rostri) – a large platform, where they faced the north side of the comitium towards the Senate.
In 318 BC, Gaius Maenius provided the forum buildings with balconies (maeniana) for spectators’ better view of the games.
The first basilica ever built in the area of the Forum was the Basilica Fulvia (184 BC), while nine years later was made the second one – the Basilica Sempronia.
The Tullianum was the state prison of ancient Romans nearby the Forum.
The Roman Forum structures’ architecture is considered one of the principal masterpieces in the history of the world.
The size of the Roman Forum was 250 by 170 meters (820 by 560 feet).
The Forum developed gradually over the centuries.
The last major expansion of its territory was during the reign of Constantine the Great.
Archeological excavations of the Forum continue even nowadays.
Even though the Roman Forum was the main one, several other forums were located throughout the city.

Here’s a 3D Model of the Forum:

History

The Roman Forum was developed gradually over the centuries. Initially, its site was a lake with waters from the surrounding hills. Consequently, it was drained in the 7th century BC by the Tarquins with the building of Cloaca Maxima. Finally, it was a vast covered sewer system connected to the Tiber River. Historically, the creation of the Forum is related to Romulus, the first king of Rome, who lived on the Palatine Hill, and his rival, Titus Tatius, who lived on the Capitoline Hill. An alliance between them appeared after the cries of the Sabine women had stopped combat. Moreover, the Forum was outside the walls of the Sabine fortress, located through the Porta Saturni. However, these walls were destroyed when two folks became joined.

Rome’s second king, Numa Pompilius (715-673 BC), began Vesta’s cult. Thus, the house and Temple of Vesta were created along with the city’s first royal palace, the Regia. The following king, Tullus Hostilius (r. 673-642 BC), made the borders of the Comitium and became the place where the Senate would meet. During the Republican period, all judicial and political issues in the city were still solved there. Therefore, the Senate decided to expand the open area between the Comitium and the Temple of Vesta to create more space. Previously, private houses covered this area, but the Senate bought them and made them for public use.

Earliest Forum temples are The Temple of Saturn (497 BC) and The Temple of Castor and Pollux (484 BC), while the first basilicas were built in 184 BC by Marcus Porcius Cato

The 80s BC was the period of the dictatorship of Sulla, and many works were done on the reconstruction of the Forum. Consequently, the Comitium was lost because of the increase of Curia and changes made by Julius Caesar until his assassination in 44 BC. The same year, Marc Antony’s funeral oration for Caesar from the New Rostra and the public burning of Caesar’s body on the site in front of the Rostra. Later, the Temple to the Deified Caesar was built by his great-nephew Octavius (Augustus), who became the first Emperor of the Roman Empire. Moreover, after Caesar’s death, Augustus finished the projects of his uncle, so the Forum acquired its final form. Such structures as the Temple of Divus Iulius and the Arch of Augustus were added in 29 BC.

In 110 AD, the Trajan’s Forum was built. Thus, many economic and judicial activities transferred to the Basilica Ulpia. Also, the Arch of Septimius Severus was added near Capitoline Hill, which commemorated the Parthian victories of Emperor Septimius Severus and his two sons. Later, Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305) was the last who reorganized and refurbished the Forum. He added a renewed Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Vesta, and the Curia. Since the previous version of Curia was burned, the one built by Diocletian can still be seen today. Notably, during the reign of Constantine the Great, the Basilica of Maxentius was completed in 312 AD, which became the last major expansion of the territory of the Forum. The political focus was moved to the Forum until the fall of the Western Roman Empire almost two centuries later.

Medieval Period

The Medieval period is notable for the dramatic decrease in Roman population: from 750-800.000 to 450.000 in 450 to 250.000 by 500 AD. Moreover, in the 6th century, some of the old structures located on the territory of the Forum began to be transformed into Christian churches. In 608, the Column of Phocas was erected near the Rostra, dedicated in honor of the Eastern Roman Emperor Phocas. It was the last monumental addition made to the Roman Forum. Later, by the 8th century, the whole area was surrounded by Christian churches. Many structures were dismantled, recreated, and used to construct castles and feudal towers. In the 13th century, these constructions were torn down, so the area became a dumping ground.

Temples

The Roman Forum includes existing and former buildings, memorials, and other essential structures from its 1.400 years of active use (8th century BC – 600 AD).

Temple of Saturn

The Temple of Saturn (Tempio di Saturno) was an ancient Roman Temple dedicated in honor of the god Saturn. It stands near Capitoline hill. It is said that the Temple was built in 497 BC. Even today, you can see the inscription on its pediment: “Senatus Populusque Romanus incendio consumption restitute,” meaning “The Senate and People of Rome restored (the temple) consumed by fire.” Moreover, Saturn ruled during the Golden Age in Roman mythology and was always associated with wealth. Thus, his Temple housed the treasury (aerarium) with the Republic’s reserves of gold and silver. However, the aerarium was later moved to the nearby Tabularium, the building with all essential archives.

Temple of Vesta

The Temple of Vesta (Tempio di Vesta) was an ancient building near the Regia and the House of the Vestal Virgins in the Roman Forum. It had Greek architecture with twenty Corinthian columns, marble, and a central cella with a famous circular footprint. In addition, all temples to Vesta were round with entrances facing east. It symbolized the connection between Vesta’s fire and the sun as sources of life. The Temple of Vesta dates to the 7th century BC, and it is believed that Numa Pompilius constructed it.

Temple of Jupiter

The Temple of Jupiter Stator is a former sanctuary on the slope of Capitoline Hill. According to the legend, Romulus founded it after he promised to construct it during a battle between Romans and Sabines. On the battle spot, Romulus founded the Temple, probably near the Porta. However, the Temple was destroyed in the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD.

Tabularium

The Tabularium was the records office with laws and official deeds of ancient Rome with offices of many city officials. Located near the Capitoline hill, below the Temple of Jupiter, and with the Temples of Vespasian and Concord in front of it, the Tabularium’s construction was ordered around 78 BC by the dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla. However, it was completed by Quintus Lutatius Catulus, who was consul in 78 BC. In the Middle Ages, a fortress was built over the remaining part of the Tabularium, which was later transformed into the Palazzo Senatorio. Thus, the construction has been adopted for the city’s administration activities since then.

Arches

Arches were an architectural invention throughout the period of the Roman Empire. Moreover, triumphal arches were used to celebrate victories of wars.

Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus (Arco di Tito) is a 1st-century triumphal arch located on Via Sacra. It was built in 82 AD by Emperor Domitian after the death of his older brother Titus. The arch commemorates the victories of the Emperor, including the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

The arch served as the model for many triumphal arches in the world that were erected in the 16th century. Also, the inspiration for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was taken from the Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus symbolizes the Jewish diaspora. The menorah depicted on it was the model for the menorah used on the emblem of the state of Israel.

Arch of Septimius Severus

The Arch of Septimius Severus (Arco di Settimio Severo) is a white marble triumphal arch constructed in 203 to commemorate the Parthian victories of emperor Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Geta. After the death of the Emperor, his sons became emperors, but Caracalla had Geta assassinated in 212. Moreover, all Geta’s memorials were destroyed. The arch was made from travertine with dimensions of about 23 meters in height and 25 meters in width. There were two sets of reliefs: the first with four large panels on each side of the attic, while the second with eight panels set into the inner side of the four archways.

Apartments Nearby

Madonna dei Monti

Madonna dei Monti – beautiful accommodations only 1.1 km from the Colosseum and the Forum. Free wi-fi, a private bathroom, coffee machine, electric teapot, flat-screen TV, and other amenities. Living in this area of Rome is very convenient for travelers interested in food, history, and architecture.

Nostromondo Apartments

Nostromondo Apartments – apartments and studios with four different addresses. Some are close to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, while others are close to Piazza Navona and Largo di Torre Argentina square. There are all amenities provided.

La casa dell’orologio di Palazzo Berardi

La casa dell’orologio di Palazzo Berardi – offers accommodations in the historic center of Rome. It is a fantastic choice for travelers interested in Roman shopping, main points of interest, long walks, and Italian food. The Colosseum and Roman Forum are a 10-minute walk on foot.

Appartamento Santi Quattro

Appartamento Santi Quattro – charming apartment in less than 1 km from the Colosseum. There is a bicycle rental service available at the apartments. It is a very convenient area for visitors to the Eternal City to explore Rome’s main gems and enjoy authentic Italian food.

The Inn At The Roman Forum

The Inn at the Roman Forum – has fantastic reviews from its visitors. It is located in the heart of ancient Rome within walking distance of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Moreover, it houses ruins inside the property. There are modern rooms, and a rich breakfast is offered every morning. Also, travelers love this hotel for its location, service, and spacious and clean rooms.

Have you ever visited the Roman Forum and Colosseum? Tell us about your experience in the comments! 🙂

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Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)

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Roman Forum – Everything You Need to Know