Forum Romanum
The Roman Forum is located between the three Roman city hills Capitoline, Palatine and Esquiline. In ancient Rome it was the center of urban life. In the 6th century BC, the former marshy area was drained and more and more buildings were erected over time. Each Roman emperor left his mark on the buildings around the Forum, so that even today there are the remains of numerous magnificent buildings to admire.
Heart of the Roman Empire
At the northwestern end of the Forum is the Arch of Septimius Severus. The arch was erected on the occasion of the emperor's victory over the Parthians and is still in very good condition today. The arch is decorated with war scenes. The western part of the Forum is dominated by the Temple of Saturn, whose columns still proudly stretch towards the sky.
The Forum met the same fate as the Colosseum, it was plundered among other things for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica as a quarry, so that today, unfortunately, of the once magnificent buildings are partly only ruins to see.
Still well preserved is the Arch of Titus, which stands on the road leading to the Colosseum. The arch is the oldest surviving triumphal arch in Rome and was built in honour of Emperor Titus' conquest of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
The Roman Forum was once the centre of all urban life. People met, there were market halls and also religious ceremonies took place. The senate also met here and political decisions were made.
The entrance fee for the Roman Forum is 14 euros, which is a day ticket that is also valid for the Colosseum and the Palatine. It is open from 9.00 a.m. until one hour before sunset (as of 09/2011).
Tip of the editors
In our experience, the audio guides leave something to be desired, as the descriptions are too detailed and extensive to be able to grasp and understand them given the abundance of buildings. In the southern part of the Roman Forum there is another exit that leads directly to the Colosseum.
