The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum in Italian) lies between the Capitol and the Palatine Hills. It is a more or less trapezoid area between the Regia and the Rostra on the short sides and the Basilica Aemilia and the Basilica Giulia on the long sides. The comitium forms an extension of the northern part.
It was originally meant for both commercial and political purposes. The position was very important since a number of important roads (the Via Sacra, the Vicus Iugarius and the Vicus Tuscus, the Argiletum and the Clivus Capitolinus) converged there.
Archeological findings in 1902 prove that this originally marshy ground used to function as a burial place (10th century B.C.) before people started building huts there. The first sacred monuments date back to the second half of the 6th century B.C.
Around the beginning of the 7th century the Forum was abandoned and turned into a cattle field (Campus Vaccinus). In the following centuries many stone and marble monuments were (at least partially) dismantled in order to be reused for the construction of new buildings.
The most important monuments in the Roman Forum are:
- Arch of Titus
- Basilica of Maxentius
- Temple of Venus and Rome: Recently restored, back-to-back temples celebrating the goddesses of love (Venus) and war (Roma)
- Balnea
- Temple of Romulus
- Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
- Temple of Caesar (aka Temple of the Divine Julius)
- Regia
- Round Temple of Vesta
- Temple of the Castores (aka Temple of the Dioscuri)
- Basilica Julia
- Santa Maria Antiqua and the Domitian buildings
- Horrea Agrippiana
- Basilica Aemilia
- Curia
- Arch of Septimius Severus
- Portico of the Consenting Gods
- Rostra
- Temple of Saturn
- Temple of Vespasianus and Titus
- Column of Foca
- Via Sacra
Roman Forum Practical Information
| Address | Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6 - 00186 Rome, Italy |
| District | Rome historical center (rione Campitelli) |
| Hotels nearby | Rome hotels near the Roman Forum |
| Telephone | 0039 0639967700 (reservations) |
| Opening Hours | Opening hours from 8.30 am until one hour before sunset, which means: January 2 - February 15: From 8:30am - 4:30pm, February 16 - March 15: From 8:30am - 5pm; March 16 - 24: From 8:30am - 5:30pm; Last Sunday of March - August 31: From 8:30am - 7:15pm; From September 1 - September 30: From 8:30am - 7pm; October 1 - last Saturday of October: From 8:30am - 6:30pm; Last Sunday of October - December 31: 8:30am - 4:30pm |
| Closed | January 1, December 25 |
| Admission | A ticket to the Roman Forum costs 14 Euros (reduced rate: 7,50 Euros) and includes a visit to the Colosseum and to the Palatine Hill. It is valid for two days and can be purchased online: http://www.pierreci.it/it/acquista-il-biglietto/biglietto-on-line.aspx. For European citizens between 18 and 25 years old apply the reduced rate. European citizens younger than 18 and older than 65 have free entrance. Note that both the Roma Pass and the Roma & Più Pass are valid for the Forum Romanum. The Rome Archeologia Card gives free admission and so does the Omnia Vatican & Rome Card. |
| Public transport | Meteo B: Colosseo. |
| Special Holidays/Events | None |
| Note | None |
Directions to the Roman Forum
Take metro B to the stop Colosseo. Cross the road and turn right and you will have the Roman Forum on your left.