Visiting the Roman Forum: Everything You Need To Know + Best Things to See (2024)

The Roman Forum (Foro Romano) sits at the top of any list of must-see Rome attractions for visitors, jostling for position along with the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums. Though a highlight on the tourist trail around Rome, the Roman Forum can be a baffling disappointment as there is little to no signage and information for many visitors. That is why we’ve compiled a guide to visiting the Roman Forum which includes the history of the Forum, the best things to see, and tips.

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What is the Roman Forum and what was the Roman Forum used for in Ancient Rome?

The Roman Forum is a vast, albeit slightly chaotic complex filled with ruins of architectural fragments and intermittent archaeological excavations. It occupies a sprawling space between the Colosseum, the Capitoline Hill, and the storied Palatine Hill.

Few sites in the world are filled with a sense of history as the Roman Forum. It may not look like it now but the Forum was one of ancient Rome’s most outstanding achievements.

The Roman Forum served as a public area in ancient Rome in which commercial, religious, economic, political, legal, and social activities occurred. Public gatherings, triumphal celebrations, trials, elections, educational events, and gladiatorial battles all took place at the Forum.

Being ancient Rome’s birthplace, just about anything important that happened in ancient Rome happened at the Roman Forum. Its narrow alleys and streets were lined with shops, open-air markets, important courthouses, temples, and monuments.

Who built the Roman Forum and why?

The history of the Roman Forum stretches as far back as the history of Rome itself. According to ancient Roman myth, the Forum was the site where Rome’s founding brothers Romulus and Remus would have met between their two strongholds on the Palatine and Capitoline hills when Rome was founded in 753 BC.

The area on which the Forum lies today was once a marshy valley where Iron Age tribes settled on the surrounding hills as early as the 9th century BC. Archaeological evidence has shown that the site was used as a burial ground around 700 BC.

The Roman Forum was drained in the 7th century BC by means of the Cloaca Maxima, one of the first sewer systems in the world. Soon after, the Roman Forum’s central location amongst the seven hills of Rome lent itself perfectly as a marketplace location for local merchants to bring and sell their food and goods.

The function of the Roman Forum became much more versatile and it gradually developed and expanded over the course of several centuries.

The triumphs of Rome and her burgeoning empire led to the construction of many monumental buildings, triumphal arches, and sacred temples in the Forum to accommodate the demands of Rome.

Beginning with the reign of Julius Caesar, each Roman emperor added his personal touch to the Forum, trying to construct statuaries, basilicas, and other public works by which he might be remembered. Even as the Forum changed over time, it retained its symbolic importance.

Why was the Roman Forum destroyed?

Declining imperial fortunes inevitably led to the urban decay of the Roman Forum. In AD 330, Emperor Constantine officially relocated the administrative center of the Roman world to Constantinople, and in AD 394 Emperor Theodosius suppressed all “pagan” religions and ordered temples to shut permanently.

These changes, coupled with a decline in population, spelled the gradual demise of the Roman Forum. After the sack and eventual fall of the Western Roman Empire in AD 476, the pagan monuments of the Forum were largely ignored by the new Catholic order that governed Rome.

A major earthquake in AD 847 wreaked considerable havoc on the remaining monuments in the Roman Forum.

General neglect meant that during the Middle Ages the forsaken Forum suffered the ignominy of becoming pasture for livestock and earned the unsavory nickname “Campo Vaccino” or “cattle field.”

However, the most significant destruction of the Roman Forum occurred during the 15th-18th centuries when it was systematically plundered for masonry and materials for the building projects of the Renaissance popes.

The most notorious of these popes was Pope Paul III who infamously started rebuilding St. Peter’s Basilica using travertine from the Colosseum and marble from the Roman Forum.

Luckily, interest in the Roman Forum returned during the Renaissance, as architects and artists studied the Forum to explore Roman architecture and way of life. Excavations began in the early 19th century, and along with restoration and preservation projects, are still ongoing.

Is the Roman Forum Worth Visiting?

YES! The Roman Forum is definitely worth visiting. The Forum was the beating heart of the Roman Empire, a civilization that shaped our world and it will definitely be a highlight of your visit to the Eternal City.

Today, although it stands in ruins, the Roman Forum never ceases to inspire and fascinate. As you weave your way amid the half-broken columns and arches, you’ll find plenty to fuel your imagination letting you step back in time to the days of Caesar, Nero, Nerva, Titus, and Trajan.

Best Things to See in the Roman Forum: Top Highlights

Now that we’ve got the history of the Forum out of the way, you’re probably wondering what to see in the Roman Forum.

So, without any further ado here are the must-see Roman Forum monuments and buildings (in no particular order):

1. Via Sacra

A great way to start exploring the Roman Forum is from the Via Sacra or the “Holy Road.” The Via Sacra was the main street of the Roman Forum and Ancient Rome, along which triumphal processions, religious processions, or funeral processions marched between Capitoline Hill and the Colosseum.

However, on normal days, citizens of ancient Rome strolled on the Via Sacra, senators talked about politics, and traders did their business, but the street was also frequented by prostitutes roaming in search of their next “customers.”

The 600-meter-long Via Sacra runs right through the middle of the Roman Forum and the most interesting and important buildings of the Roman Forum can still be found here.

The Via Sacra was paved and lined by columns, some of which you can still see standing today giving a sense of what the street must have looked like in its heyday.

As you walk on its time-worn cobbles, you can still see the grooves from the carriage wheels which passed over it centuries ago.

2. Arch of Titus

Found directly on the Via Sacra, the Arch of Titus is the oldest triumphal arch in the Roman Forum. This triumphal arch was erected in AD 81 by Emperor Domitian in honor of the victories of his brother, Emperor Titus.

The Arch of Titus commemorates the most important military achievements of Titus – the Roman suppression of a Judean uprising in AD 66 and the conquest of Jerusalem in AD 70.

In AD 66, tired of being exploited by unscrupulous Roman officials, the Jews rebelled. A bitter conflict broke out resulting in Titus and the Roman army laying siege to Jerusalem and eventually defeating the rebels.

Among other things, Titus had Jerusalem’s great temple (Herod’s Temple) destroyed, stole its valuable treasures, and brought home 50,000 Jewish slaves who were coerced to build this arch Colosseum (and the Colosseum).

Roman propaganda reliefs adorn the inside of the white marble arch. Although the panel reliefs inside the Arch of Titus are badly eroded, you can still see the deified Titus being carried to heaven by an eagle.

The other side of the inner shows a triumphant procession of Roman soldiers carrying booty from the sacking of the Temple of Jerusalem. The booty includes the altar, silver trumpets, and a golden menorah (seven-branched chandelier).

3. Basilica of Constantine

The eastern half of the Roman Forum is dominated by the Basilica of Constantine (formerly known as the Basilica of Maxentius). Begun by Emperor Maxentius, the Basilica of Constantine was continued by his co-emperor and rival, Constantine, after he had vanquished him at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in AD 312.

Only three vast, coffered barrel vaults remain of what was the largest building in the Roman Forum – the hall itself was as long as a football field.

These arches represent only one-third of the original Basilica of Constantine and in terms of size and ingenuity, it is arguably the Roman Forum’s most impressive structure.

The fact that the vaults still cover the remaining structure without support is an indication of the remarkable building skills of the Roman architects and engineers.

The interior of the Basilica of Constantine was lavishly furnished with inlaid marble, a bronze ceiling, and statues. The roof of the basilica

glittered with gilded tiles until they were stripped off in the 7th century, to cover the roof of the old St. Peter’s Basilica.

At the far (west) end was an enormous marble statue of Emperor Constantine on a throne. Pieces of this statue, giant head, hand, and foot, are on display in Rome’s Capitoline Museums.

Like other Roman basilicas of the time, the Basilica of Constantine was used for the administration of justice and for carrying out business.

4. Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina

The Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina was first dedicated in 141 CE by Emperor Antoninus Pius to his late wife Faustina, the temple was rededicated to them both on the death of the emperor.

It’s the only building in the Roman Forum that gives a real indication of just how monumental Roman temples were.

In the 5th century, the Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina was converted into a church because it was believed that San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence) had been condemned to death there. It owes its good state of preservation to the fact that it was converted into a church.

Although the Baroque facade of the church rises above the porch of the Roman temple, you can still see the basic layout—a staircase led to a shaded porch (the columns). An inscribed lintel still connects the six huge Corinthian columns across its front.

The deep indentations in the pillars of the porch, which are still standing today, stem from the unsuccessful attempt to tear them down to build the church.

5. Temple of Vesta and the House of the Vestal Virgins

The Temple of Vesta was a circular building from the 4th century AD originally surrounded by a ring of 20 fine fluted columns. The original temple was torn down in the mid-16th century and what you see was partially reconstructed in 1930.

The Temple of Vesta was perhaps the holiest and most important building in ancient Rome as it contained the flame of Vesta, which burned day and night. The flame was tended by priestesses known as Vestal Virgins and as long as the sacred flame burned, Rome was supposedly safe.

Right next to the temple the priestesses lived in the House of the Vestal Virgins. The approximately 50 communal and private rooms, luxuriously furnished with heating and bathrooms, were spread over three floors around a beautiful inner courtyard with pools and statues of former high-ranking Vestal Virgins.

The cult of the Vestals was one of the oldest in Rome and centered on six Vestal Virgins, who had the responsibility of keeping alight the sacred flame of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and home.

Keeping the flame alive was no easy task and if the flame should go out, the Vestal responsible was whipped.

Chosen from patrician families before they reached the age of 10, the Vestal Virgins had to serve for at least 30 years. A Vestal took a vow of chastity and if she was unchaste, she was buried alive.

However, because of the importance of their office, the Vestals enjoyed high status and financial security. They were accorded special privileges: a choice section in the Colosseum was reserved for them.

6. Temple of Castor and Pollux

Standing over an enormous pile of rubble topped by three graceful Corinthian columns is the Temple of Castor and Pollux, one of the Roman Forum’s most beautifully evocative ruins.

The temple was built in the fifth century BC and stands on the site where Castor and Pollux, the mythical twin brothers of Helen of Troy and patrons of horsemanship, are said to have appeared to announce the victory of the Roman Republic over the oppressive Tarquin kings.

Like most buildings in the Forum, the Temple of Castor and Pollux was rebuilt on several occasions. For a long period, the temple housed the city’s office of weights and measures, and it was also used at times by bankers and as a meeting place for senators.

7. Temple of Julius Caesar

On the Ides of March (15 March) of 44 BC, Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times by a large group of Roman senators in what was one of history’s most notorious assassinations.

The Temple of Julius Caesar was erected in his memory by his adopted son and successor, the emperor Augustus, on the spot where Caesar’s body was cremated after his assassination.

All that remains of the grandeur that comprised the Temple of Julius Caesar is a pile of rubble immersed in cement with a little green roof.

The round brick stump under the roof marks the spot where Caesar was cremated.

The outpouring of grief of the people after Caesar’s death was so enormous that they kept his funeral pyre burning for days with their own possessions. Flowers still rest on the remains of the altar.

8. The Curia

The Curia was the most important political building in the Roman Forum. It was the site of Rome’s official center of government during the Republican period and it was where senators met to debate and create the laws of the land.

In the Middle Ages, the Curia was consecrated as a church and owes its well-preserved appearance to its conversion into a church. The current building is a 1937 replica of a third-century AD reconstruction built during the era of Emperor Diocletian.

Don’t miss the opportunity to peek inside if it’s open, and marvel at its original, intricate floor of marble and porphyry.

9. Temple of Romulus

The Temple of Romulus is a circular brick building, topped by a cupola. It is one of the best-preserved buildings in the Forum and has served as a vestibule to the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian since the 6th century AD.

The best-preserved part of the temple is its splendid original bronze doors, swinging on the same massive hinges they were mounted on in AD 306. The doors are flanked by two columns of red porphyry, a rare and valuable stone.

The cycle of frescoes inside the rotunda imitates curtains and dates from the mid-13th century.

To whom the Temple of Romulus was dedicated is a matter of conjecture among archaeologists. In any case, the temple is not dedicated to Romulus, the legendary co-founder of Rome, but most likely to the son of its builder, Emperor Maxentius, who named his son Valerius Romulus.

10. Rostra

Facing the central part of the Roman Forum, the Rostra was a raised podium where rousing speeches were made. This is where ancient Rome’s emperors and orators such as Cicero addressed throngs of people and tried to sway public opinion.

You can just imagine the emperors and orators, shining in their white togas, surrounded by imperial guards and distinguished senators, gesticulating grandly like one of the statues on a Roman roofline.

The dais was originally decorated with statues, columns, and the prows (rostra) of captured ships from which it took its name.

11. Basilica Julia

Started by Julius Caesar in 50 BC and completed by Augustus, the Basilica Julia was one of the largest buildings in the Forum. All that remains today of this two-storeyed, marble-faced structure are its pillared foundations and a few arched passages.

The basilica was a representative building, a place of trade, but also of jurisdiction. It was the seat of the centumviral court, a jury of about a hundred people, which sat in court in public hearings in Roman civil trials and was primarily responsible for cases of family and inheritance law.

12. Arch of Septimius Severus

One of the grandest triumphal arches erected by a Roman emperor, the Arch of Septimius Severus is one of the most famous landmarks of the Roman Forum.

It was built in AD 203 in honor of Septimius Severus and his sons Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus (Caracalla) and Publius Septimius Geta.

In earlier years, the Arch of Septimius Severus was topped by a quadriga drawn by four horses with statues of Septimius Severus, Caracalla, and Geta. Since the arch became part of Rome’s fortifications in the Middle Ages, it is still relatively well preserved today.

At 25 meters wide, 10 meters deep, and 20 meters high, it dominates the western part of the Forum. The striking and richly decorated arch is made of Peloponnesian white marble collected from the Sea of Marmara.

The weathered friezes on the wall celebrate the military victories of Severus and his sons, Geta and Caracalla in Parthia (modern-day Iraq and Iran) and Arabia. After Caracalla had Geta assassinated, he removed all images and references to his brother from the arch.

Beside the arch is the Umbilicus Urbis, a navel-shaped piece of stone that marked the center of Rome.

13. Temple of Saturn

The Temple of Saturn was one of the most important and venerated ancient Roman temples.

Established in 497 BC, it was the oldest temple in the Roman Forum. In my opinion, it is one of, if not the most, impressive monuments in the Roman Forum.

Inside the temple was a wooden statue of Saturn, the god of agriculture and wealth, and ruler of the mythical “Golden Age.” The temple was also the Roman state treasury and mint and the statue’s pedestal held gold bars, coins, and jewels.

All that remains today of the Temple of Saturn are the high platform, eight Ionic columns, and a section of entablature that are the result of a series of restorations carried out between 42 BC and AD 380. The eight columns give a good impression of the former size of the temple.

The Temple of Saturn was also the site of the annual ancient Roman celebration of Saturnalia. This week-long festival involving drinking, merrymaking, feasting, and gift-giving was probably a kind of mixture of today’s Christmas and the carnival season.

14. Column of Phocas

The Column of Phocas is a significant building in Rome’s history as it was the last monument to be added to the Roman Forum. It was erected in 608 in honor of the Byzantine emperor Phocas who had munificently donated the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV, who almost immediately transformed it into a church.

The Column of Phocas stands 13.5 meters high on a cubical white marble socle. The slender, fluted column is in good condition, having remained upright since the day it was put up.

Practical Information For Visiting the Roman Forum

1. What are the opening hours of the Roman Forum?

The opening hours of the Roman Forum vary throughout the year. However, it is open daily from 09:00–approx one hour before sunset (last admission: 1 hour before closing).

2. How much is a ticket to the Roman Forum and where to buy tickets?

Entry to the Roman Forum is not free and requires a paid ticket. Advance booking for the Roman Forum is required and no tickets are sold on-site.

Tickets can be purchased online through the CoopCulture website, the official ticket agency for the Roman Forum. A ticket to the Roman Forum also includes entry to the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill.

Tickets cost 18 EUR but are non-refundable under any circ*mstances. Tickets are valid for 24 hours but you cannot re-enter the Forum once you’ve exited.

I like to book refundable tickets and don’t mind paying a small surcharge knowing I can always get my money back if my plans alter. I always either book through GetYourGuide or Tiqets. Book early as tickets tend to sell out fast.

• Click here to book your Roman Forum tickets.

You will still likely encounter lines as you have to go through airport-like security. Even if you have to stand in line, don’t worry too much as a Roman Forum visit is worth the wait.

3. Roman Forum Entrance and Exit Locations

There are three points of entry/exit to the Roman Forum (and the Palatine Hill).

The most convenient (but often the one with the longest waiting times) is directly opposite the Colosseum. This Roman Forum entrance puts you right by the Arch of Titus (on Via Sacra).

However, if you walk five minutes down the road to Via de San Gregorio you can enter the Forum via its second access point, the Palatine entrance, which is often the least busy.

The third entrance to the Roman Forum is along Via dei Fori Imperiali, about halfway between the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia.

4. How to get to the Roman Forum?

The closest metro station to the Roman Forum is Colosseo (Metro Line B). The nearest tram stop to the Roman Forum is Colosseo/Salvi N (Tram #3).

The nearest bus stops to the Roman Forum are the Fori Imperiali bus stop, the Colosseo bus stop, and the San Gregorio bus stop.

Tips For Visiting the Roman Forum

Here are our top tips to help you make the most of your visit to the Roman Forum:

1. Read up beforehand or sign up for a guided tour

While there is plenty to see and explore at the Roman Forum, you can find very little information and signage on the site. If you don’t know what you are looking for or at, you can miss out.

In order to avoid your Roman Forum visit ending in frustration, I strongly recommend bringing along a detailed guidebook or, better still, booking a guided tour.

Tours of the Roman Forum also include a visit to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. Some good ones I can recommend are:

However, these guided tours often focus more time on the Colosseum. If you are interested in a more specialized tour of the Roman Forum, I recommend taking a private tour where a local guide can give you the lowdown on all the Forum’s sites and chat about Roman history.

• Click here to book an exclusive private tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

2. How long should you spend at the Roman Forum?

It highly depends on your interests but a visit to the Roman Forum usually takes 2-3 hours.

3. What is the best time to visit the Roman Forum?

The best time to visit the Roman Forum depends on what time of the year you’re visiting Rome.

If you’re visiting Rome in autumn or spring, visiting the Roman Forum anytime during opening hours is fine. But, if you’re looking to beat the crowds and for a time when the Roman Forum looks the loveliest, head out in the early morning or in the late afternoon (1-2 hours before closing).

If you’re visiting Rome in the summer, it’s best to visit the Roman Forum in the early morning as it gets scorchingly hot during the day.

If you’re visiting Rome in the winter, it’s best to visit the Roman Forum in the late morning or just after midday.

4. Where to get the best views of the Roman Forum?

The best view of the Roman Forum within the complex can be obtained from the panoramic terrace on the way to Palatine Hill overlooking the ruins.

The best view of the Roman Forum from the outside is from Capitol Square atop Capitoline Hill. Just walk around the right side of the Palazzo Senatorio to a terrace overlooking the Roman Forum.

Access to this viewpoint is free and the panorama of the ruins looks like a remnant of an abandoned Hollywood epic movie set.

5. Can you eat in the Roman Forum?

Yes, but keep in mind that food and drink options in the Roman Forum are very limited as it does not allow for any actual restaurants or cafes on site. At the time of writing, there is at least a pair of vending machines selling snacks and drinks on the adjacent Palatine Hill.

Since the area of the Roman Forum (and Palatine Hill) is quite large and a visit here will usually be at least 2-3 hours long, don’t arrive hungry! There’s nothing worse than sightseeing on an empty stomach.

My honest advice is to plan your time wisely and eat before you go into the Forum as well as bring a snack bar, sandwich, or some fruit in your bag.

There are plenty of drinking fountains (nasoni) located within the Roman Forum to ensure you can stay well hydrated (especially in the warmer months).

6. Are there toilets in the Roman Forum?

Yes. There are a couple of toilets in the Roman Forum (and the Palatine Hill). Just look for the “WC” signs.

7. Beware of the sun in the Roman Forum

If you are planning to visit the Roman Forum in the warmer months, you might also want to consider bringing a hat, sunscreen, or even an umbrella as there is little to no shade and the heat can be intense.

8. Wear Comfortable Footwear when Visiting the Roman Forum

Finally, ditch the heels and wear a comfortable pair of sturdy walking shoes or sneakers as the paths and steps of the Roman Forum can be steep or uneven.

Further Reading For Your Rome Visit

That summarizes our comprehensive guide to the Roman Forum. However, we reckon you’ll find the following resources useful for planning your trip to Rome!

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Now, what do you think? Is visiting the Roman Forum on your bucket list? Or is there anything else that shouldn’t be missed at Roman Forum? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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