Roman Forum

Roman Forum

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About Roman Forum

Roman Forum, was also renowned as the heart of many public gatherings and events of the city. Known as the Forum Romanum, it has been the attraction of western civilization in the earlier times of Rome.
The Roman Forum had nothing less than gigantic temples and imposing monuments for one to see. Among the many ruins, there are some monuments that are still standing for a long time, though the place had been largely abandoned for centuries.

One can find every sort of significant and oldest government offices near the Roman Forum. It was the key political, ritual, and civic center in the city of Rome. The remains of this place continue to provide important insights into the culture of the urban architecture of ancient Rome which is nothing but wonder for today’s modern era. There are many temples and monuments that survived among the many ruins like the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of the Deified Caesar, and many more. These withstand the history of ancient Rome and showcase the wondrous beauty of art and architecture. One should not miss out on visiting this beautiful historic spot when in Rome.

Things to see at Roman Forum

 Arch of Titus
Arch of Titus

The Oldest of the Roman Arches to have been erected after the death of king Titus, The 50ft tall monument is located along the Via Sacra which was the busiest road in the ancient city of Rome, and stands at the south-eastern end of Roman Forum. Despite the time that has elapsed, the arch remained durable, even throughout the fall of Rome in the 5th century. No wonder, it is said to have influenced the design of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

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Basilica of Constantine
Basilica of Constantine

It is an imposing structure which has been which was finished by Emperor Constantine in the early 4th Century. An example of the architectural skills of the Romans is that the huge arched vaults cover the entire structure without any support of their own. The place was to make transactions, business. This style of construction was later adopted by churches. It is considered to be the greatest of the Roman basilicas.

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The Curia
The Curia

The Curia looks like a simple piece of architecture from the outside as it used to be the place of meeting of the Roman Senate. It is known to be as one of the oldest senate buildings that exists till date. The amazing fact about this place is that, Julius Caesar in 44 BC had commissioned this place and was completed by Augutus Caesar in 29 BC. It was restored after the fire had damaged the building. It is still known as one of ancient preserved building in the Roman that gradually was transformed into a church in 7th century devoted to St. Adrian.

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Temple of Romulus
Temple of Romulus

It was converted into a church, the Basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano. It is amongst the best-preserved buildings of the Forum and King Maxentius dedicated it to his son Valerius Romulus in the 4th Century. The huge bronze doors are original which itself is a marvel as one can wonder how they may have been preserved all these centuries after all those ruins. Many of its wall paintings are religious in nature.

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 Temple of Vesta & House of the Vestals
Temple of Vesta & House of the Vestals

The Temple of Vesta, is a prehistoric structure in the Roman Forum of Italy. It is located near the house of vestal virgins that houses the holy and sacred fire. The fire is symbolic to the safety and prosperity of Rome. there is a circular footprint which is known to be the most famous part of that temple. It is till date considered to be as among the holiest place of prehistoric Rome.

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Arch of Septimius Severus
Arch of Septimius Severus

The Arch of Septimius Severus, built in 203 CE, marks the anniversary of Roman victories over the Parthian Empire during the final decade of the second century CE. The triple triumphal arch is among the most embellished of its kind, and it still stands in the Forum Romanum, even if somewhat badly damaged, as a lasting and enacting monument to Roman vanity.

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Temple of Saturn
Temple of Saturn

The Temple of Saturn has been probably one of the most treasured of the Roman Republic during that period. This one was devoted to the Romans' adopted supreme God. It was repeatedly damaged and reconstructed. It really has existed for many years because of its iconic eight columns. The distance from Rome to the various provinces of the Empire was embedded in gold figures on the stone.

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Temple of Castor and Pollux
Temple of Castor and Pollux

This monument has been mostly destroyed, and only a few columns remain. They are popularly known as the three sisters. The structure was constructed in the last decade of the first century BCE. The parts of the original temple's podium survived, indicating its massive size. The new temple, built of white marble and tufa, was a massive structure measuring 32 x 50 m and reaching a height of nearly 19 m at the time.

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Temple of Antoninus Pius
Temple of Antoninus Pius

To honor his empress, it was built in 141AD, and was later dedicated to him after his death. It is an ancient Roman temple in Rome, later converted to the 17th-century church of San Lorenzo in Miranda. It can be located via the sacra.

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Interesting Facts about Roman Forum

  • The Forum was built on a marshy Etruscan burial place, therefore marshland was dried off for its construction. Around 600 BC, the Cloaca Maxima, the world's first sewage system, was erected to drain water from low-lying lands into the Tiber. It may be seen near the Ponte Palatino, and rumors have it that a stream of water still runs down it.

  • From 800 BC to 600 AD, the Forum was utilized by Rome's elite and the general public.

  • The Curia, or Senate House, was instrumental in promoting the Roman Forum above the other Fora in Rome.

  • The Temple of Venus and Rome, measured 100 by 145 meters and was erected on The Forum in 135 AD. It was Rome's largest religious building at the time.

  • Julius Caesar, Rome's most renowned citizen, was killed and cremated on the steps of the Theater of Pompey. Caesar's burial was marked by the construction of the Temple of Caesar on the site.

  • Most buildings of the Forum were destroyed in 410 AD when the Roman Empire was falling.

History of the Roman Forum

Roman Forum

Roman Forum History speaks of itself when we witness the place. It was the site of a battle between Romans and Sabines in the second half of the eighth century BCE, as been told by a Roman legend. Iron Age cemeteries dating from the 11th century BCE to the 9th century BCE were discovered during the excavations in the Forum Romanum. The first time when people actually started a meeting in the Roman Forum was when the Roman Republic was found in 500 BC. Later during the reign of Julius Caesar it started to come into the eyes of people which led to the requirement of additional ground for more space.

There were many temples that were built inside the Forumin to respect the defied rulers. The Forum has also seen destruction because of fire that led to intense restoration giving structure to the Curia. After the Roman Empire's capital shifted to Constantinople in 330 CE, the Forum soon went into decline, even if it was periodically utilized for ceremonial purposes.

Many of the buildings, particularly in the 15th and 16th centuries CE, were cannibalized for their stonework or burned for lime. This severely damaged those who remained standing, making them vulnerable to catastrophic collapse. The Arch of Titus was incorporated into the Frangipani family's defenses in medieval times and suffered as a result. The history of the Forum can’t be ended as new things keep getting discovered.

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Plan your Visit to Roman Forum

Essential Information
How To Reach
Best Time To Visit
Tips to Visit Roman Forum

Location: Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6, and Via di San Gregorio are the two entrances to the Forum Romanum. The Forum Romanum can also be reached through Palatine Hill.

Opening Hours:

  • 1st March - 26th March: 9.00 am – 5.30 pm

  • 27th March - 31st August: 9.00 am – 7:15 pm

  • 1st September - 30 September: 9.00 am – 7:00 pm

  • 1st October - 30 October: 9.00 am – 6.30 pm

  • 31 October - 31 December: 9.00 am – 4.30 pm

  • Closed: January 1st and December 25

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Roman Forum FAQs

What was the Roman Forum used for?

The Roman Forum was designed as a marketplace. It was afterward utilized for political, economic, judicial, religious, and social purposes.

Why was the Roman forum built?

The Roman Forum was designed to be a public gathering place for political, commercial, economic, legal, and social gatherings. There were Fora in all Roman cities, but the Roman Forum was the greatest of them all.

What do standard admission Colosseum tickets include?

You can enter the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill as well as the first and second floors of the Colosseum with your Colosseum Rome tickets.

Who destroyed the Roman Forum?

When the Roman Empire began to fall apart in 410 A.D., the populace tore down the structures on the Roman Forum. They built additional constructions using the costly stone and other resources.

How long does it take to see the Roman Forum?

A walking tour with a guide will take around 3 hours to cover the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum. You will be spending about an hour at each location.

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