The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is one of the world's most important historical sites.

Make sure and put Foro Romano at the top of your list of sightseeing in Rome and Rome attractions to visit.

This is a must-see on Rome vacations or even on a short break in Rome.

The Roman Forum is an impressive site! This jumble of rocks and ruins is steeped in history.

The first time I walked the Rome Forum I remember feeling a real sense of awe and wonder.

Ancient Rome history began here.

In the 8th century BC, it all began as a cluster of religious and civic buildings for a small settlement. It grew and expanded over the next centuries as the city of Rome became the center of the ancient world.

It eventually became the political, economic, religious and commercial hub as buildings, basilicas, banks and civic buildings were erected. This was the main meeting place for the Romans and the heart of the Ancient Rome government.

Walking Tour of Rome Forum

The Roman Forum Walking Tour highlights the top things to see in Rome and includes ancient Rome history and pictures Roman Forum.

Separate pages can be found for many of the numbered Roman ruins below.

Ancient Basilica
A Basilica was actually a covered public forum in ancient Rome. When the Christians built their churches they need a much larger gathering space for their worship then was found in the designs of the pagan temples so they used the Basilica design of the large open space in the center. Hence the name Basilica used in our large church names.

Temple of Romulus Frankazis81 crucifixion painting Santa Maria Antiqua Temple of Castor and Pollux Forum Main Square Arch of Septimius Severus Rita1234 Rostra

Arch of Titus

Basilica of Constantine

Temple of Romulus

Round well-preserved temple built in honor of emperor Maxentius' son Romulus. The inner chamber was completed in the 4th century AD. The exterior was once was covered with marble. The brass doors are the originals.

Temple of Antoninus and Faustina

Temple of Vesta

House of the Vestal Virgins

Santa Maria Antiqua

This church's foundation dates from the 5th century and it's paintings date from the 6th and 7th century. The most beautiful is the one of the crucifixion of Christ which is at the end of the left aisle. The figure of Christ is a powerful one with John and Mary on either side. Many of the other paintings are quiet damaged. There is a nice Christian sacophagus with the story of Jonas sculpted on it in the left aisle.

Temple of Castor and Pollux

Three lone Corinthian columns in the Roman Forum mark this place. It is named in honor of 2 gods who supposedly appeared as horsemen watering their horses at the Well of Juturna a little pool opposite at the corner. They brought news of the battle of 499BC when the dynasty of the Tarquin Kings was overthrown.

Temple of Julius Caesar

Basilica Aemilia

This was the Roman hall of justice and public affairs in the Roman ancient Forum. What remains are the stumps of large columns surrounding the large meeting area. This was one of the most ancient and richest basilicas in Rome and was named after Marco Emilio Lepido who restored it in 78BC.

The Curia or Senate House

First built by Caesar and restored to its present form after a fire in 283AD by Diocletian at the end of the 3rd century, The Curia, the government house where the Senate met, is one of the Forum's best preserved buildings. It was turned into the Church of St. Adrian in the 6th or 7th century and in the 1930s it was restored and opened to the public as a historic site. The marble floor is the most perfectly preserved feature. Check out the two reliefs which in the background show important monuments in the Forum and how they looked in the first century AD.

Forum's Main Square

This open area or piazza was the busiest area and the center of life with temples, law courts and government buildings surrounding it.

Column of Phocas

This was the last monument added to Forum in Rome in AD608. It was built by to commemorate the Byzantine Emperor Phocas allowing Pope Boniface IV to convert the Pantheon into a Christian Church.

Arch of Septimius Severus

This arch was erected in 203AD to celebrate African born Emperor Septimius Severus' victorious battle over Messopotamia. The panels display the history of the bloody battle

Rostrum or Rostra

Built by Caesar in 44BC shortly before his death this 10 feet high raised platform was where politicians and orators addressed the people.

Temple of Saturn

Ancient Forum Rome Travel Information

• Hotels - Forum Hotel Rome and Inn at the Roman Forum
• Bed Breakfast Rome Forum - Matisse B&B
• Transportation - The closest metro stop is Colosseo and you can enter the Forum on Via dei Fori Imperiali
• Hours - 8:30am-7pm April-Sept, 8:30am-6:15pm Oct, 8:30am-4:15pm Nov-Feb, 8:30am-4:30pm March
• Tickets - Combo tickets include the Colosseum, buy a Roma Pass, Archelogia Card, or buy and print your ticket online to avoid the long ticket lines at the Colosseum. Stay to the left, passing the people waiting to buy a ticket and go directly to the turnstile

Plan your visit to the Roman Forum on a day when it isn't raining if possible. The wet stones and uneven pavement can be slippery.

I hope you enjoy these magnificent ancient ruins of Rome!

Here are some other ancient Roman attractions that might be of interest to you:
Colosseum in Rome
Roman Pantheon
Arch of Constantine
Baths of Diocletian
Caracalla Baths
Rome Catacombs