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Located in the heart of Rome, the Roman Forum, also frequently called Forum Romanum, is a rectangular-shaped square filled with ruins and relics from some of the most important ancient Roman buildings, most of which belonged to the government. This place used to be referred to by ancient Romans as “Forum Magnum” and was typically a marketplace.
Let’s find out something more about the Roman Forum and why you should visit it!
SOME HISTORY
As mentioned before, back in the VII century BC, Romans built the Roman Forum to create a place that would become the center of public life. Because of this, this site was over the centuries filled with buildings with religious, political or economic interests. Emperors made sure to fill this place with prestigious monuments, such as the Temple of Antonius Pius and Faustina, built in honor of the emperors, the Temple of Vespasian and Titus or the temple built by Emperor Massenzio to commemorate his son Romulus. Another interesting monument that was built on this site was the monumental arch of Septimius Severus, dating all the way back to 203 AD but apparently, the last monument that was built for the Roman Forum was the Column built to honor the Byzantine Emperor Phocas, dating to the year 608 AD.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ROMAN FORUM?
When the Roman Empire ended, the Roman Forum was gradually forgotten and buried little by little from forces of nature. Even though his existence was common knowledge, excavations to bring it back to life were only carried out in the XX century.
Nowadays, the Roman Forum is one of the most interesting sites in Rome and also one of the most popular tourist attractions. Walking through it will fill your imagination with thinking of how it used to be centuries ago when it was one of the most popular gathering spots in ancient Rome.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE ROMAN FORUM
If you’re a curious person and always want to know more details about what you’re planning on visiting, here are a few interesting facts about the Roman Forum that you can surprise your friends with:
- Along with the Colosseum and the Palatine, the Roman Forum is one of the most visited places in Rome every year;
- The area it was built on used to be a swamp that was later on drained thanks to Cloaca Maxima, one of the earliest sewage systems;
- According to legend and folklore, Romulus is buried in the Roman Forum;
- Since Julius Caesar was cremated in the Temple of Caesar, people leave flowers at the ruins of this temple, considered to be the closest thing to his grave;
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT THE ROMAN FORUM
Visiting the Roman Forum is definitely a must if you’re in Rome. If you think about it, there’s got to be a reason why along with the Colosseum and the Palatine, it’s one of the most beloved destinations by tourists coming to the Eternal City. Taking a walk through the Roman Forum is your chance to experience the history of the Roman Empire and go back in time with your knowledge and imagination.
CONCLUSION
If you’re planning on visiting the Eternal City, make sure you include the Roman Forum in the list of things to see. The ticket to visit it is included in the entrance ticket to the Colosseum so make sure to do both! If you want to get to know more about Rome and Italy in general, check out our other blogs!
