ROMAN FORUM
The valley of the Forum among Rome’s seven hills was originally a swamp. From the end of the 7th century BC, after the swamp was drained, the Roman Forum was built in the valley and became the center of Roman public life for over a millennium.
Over the centuries various monuments were constructed: first buildings for political, religious, and commercial activities, then during the 2nd century BC the civil basilicas, where judicial activities took place.
By the end of the republican era, the ancient Roman Forum was no longer sufficient or adequate to function as the city’s administrative and representative center. Various imperial dynasties added prestigious monuments only: the Temple of Vespasian and Titus and that of Antoninus Pius and Faustina dedicated to the memory of the deified emperors, the monumental Arch of Septimius Severus built at the western end of the square in 203 AD to celebrate the emperor’s victories over the Parthians.
The last major intervention was made by Emperor Maxentius in the early 4th century AD. Maxentius built the Temple dedicated to the memory of his son Romulus and the imposing Basilica on the Velia, which was renovated at the end of the 4th century AD. The last monument erected in the Forum was the Column raised in 608 AD in honor of the Byzantine Emperor Phocas.
PALATINE HILL
According to ancient tradition, the first settlement of the city of Rome was on the Palatine Hill, founded by Romulus around the middle of the 8th century BC. Excavations have uncovered remains of huts and graves from the Iron Age and, recently, the oldest fortification dating back to the 8th century BC.
Home to important civic cults, including that of the Magna Mater (Cybele), between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, the hill became the residential district of the Roman aristocracy. The House of the Griffins, famous for its paintings, dates from this period. Here are also the private houses of Augustus and Livia.
Emperor Augustus made the Palatine the official seat of power and began building the imperial palaces, later renovated and expanded by his successors. In the area of the Palace of the Caesars is the Palatine Museum, where the Iron Age grave goods and artifacts from the emperors’ residences are displayed, including the paintings of the Isiaca Hall.
Tickets:
Ticket offices: Largo Salara Vecchia and Via di S. Gregorio, 30
Colosseum/Palatine/Roman Forum: single ticket
Full price €12.00
Reduced €7.50 for European Union citizens aged 18 to 24 and EU teachers;
Free: visitors under 18 years old from the EU.
*Entrance:
Opening time: 8:30 AM
Closing times:
Autumn/Winter
From the last Sunday of October to February 15: last entry 3:30 PM with exit by 4:30 PM;
From February 16 to March 15: last entry 4:00 PM with exit by 5:00 PM;
From March 16 to the last Saturday of March: last entry 4:30 PM with exit by 5:30 PM
Spring/Summer
From the last Sunday of March to August 31: last entry 6:15 PM with exit by 7:15 PM;
From September 1 to September 30: last entry 6:00 PM with exit by 7:00 PM;
From October 1 to the last Saturday of October: last entry 5:30 PM with exit by 6:30 PM
Closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25
House of Augustus – House of Livia
Open to the public daily with limited entries, for groups of 20 people with their own guide or with a guide from Coopculture. Visits must be booked through Coopculture, which manages information and bookings on behalf of this Superintendence at telephone number (+39) 06 39967700 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM) or on the website www.coopculture.it.
Severan Arcades on the Palatine
Open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays according to the following schedule:
From February 16 to March 15: from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
From March 16 to the last Saturday of March: from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
From the last Sunday of March to August 31: from 8:30 AM to 6:45 PM
From September 1 to September 30: from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM
From October 1 to the last Saturday of October: from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
From the last Sunday of October to February 15: from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
House of the Vestals
Temple of Venus and Rome
Palatine Museum
are open daily but close 30 minutes before the archaeological area closes.
Please note that in extraordinary situations with reduced staff, the area may remain closed on scheduled opening days
Accessibility
Access to the Roman Forum area is possible:
• from the entrance at Largo della Salaria Vecchia no. 6, along Via dei Fori Imperiali,
using an elevator to overcome the height difference of about 6.50 meters between street level and the Roman Forum.
• from the elevator located at the Arch of Titus.
Suitable restroom facilities are available.
info 06. 699841
