Roman Forum Rome: Tickets, map, hours and entrance

on 7. September 2021   /   3   /  

You can find everything you need to know about the Roman Forum in Rome in this article, including opening hours, tickets and how to get there!

The Roman Forum in Rome: Important tips and information for your visit to the Roman Forum

In 1788 Carl Frederik von Fredenheim and his team of archaeologists discovered an amazing site. The Roman Forum in Rome, the biggest forum in the world. For many centuries the Roman Forum had been the center of public and social life in Rome. Public speeches and criminal trials were held there and from time to time gladiatorial contests took place as well. But the Forum was also used as a marketplace. Back in the days the Roman Forum used to be the most important place to buy and sell goods in the Roman Empire. Today it is nothing more but a ruin whose ancient political, religious, commercial and cultural buildings were discovered when excavations took place in the 19th and 20th century. 4,5 million tourists visit the Roman Forum in Rome every year. They gaze at one of the most important excavation sites of the Ancient Rome.

The History behind the Roman Forum in Rome

The Forum Romanum is located in a depression between the pala and the Capitoline Hill. Located not far from the Tiber, this area was often flooded and used to be just swampy waste land for a long time.

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In the 7th century BC the Roman population decided to work against the bog and built the Cloaca Maxima, a drain system. They started building some first houses at this very place, including the Regia, the king’s house, and some temples, as for example the temple of Saturn in 498 BC. In the following centuries many buildings and temples joined the Roman Forum, also called the Forum Magnum and it slowly became the center of Ancient Rome. Many of the once marvelous buildings were destroyed throughout time and can only be guessed at today.

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The Forum had its downfall in the 4th Century AD, when Constantine the Great decided to move the political center from Rome to Constantinople. This following, many temples were closed and the Forum lost its importance. Afterwards the Forum in Rome was misused as a stone quarrel by the Roman population. And in the 9th century a heavy earthquake jolted the Forum and many of the remaining buildings and temples collapsed.

Roman Forum Map: What to visit at the Roman Forum in Rome

Here you can see a map of the Roman Forum in Rome:

Roman Forum Map

Nowadays few buildings are still recognizable as such. These include the Comitium, a square were the legislative assemblies gathered, the Curia Julia, the former chair of the senate and the Arc of Septimius Severus, an arc which is 20m tall and was made of marble to honor 3 former Roman emperors.

ROME_Forum-Romanum_crowd_Summer_flowers

Many other buildings have been destroyed to the point that nowadays only headstones, single columns or walls are left over. To give an example, the only part left to see of the Temple of Saturn is the front wall with its columns. You visit the Roman Forum today? You can walk amidst the impressive scenery, the ruins and temples along the Via Sacra, a cobbled street. In the Ancient Rome the street led out of the Forum to the Capitoline Hill, where the most important Roman temple was located: The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus. The Romans also used the Via Sacra for ceremonies and festivities.

If you visit Rome, do not miss on the Roman Forum. The Forum tells about the Roman history and is a unique testimonial of the Ancient Rome.

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The table below lists the most important buildings in the Roman Forum:

Description
Basilica AemiliaRoman basilica from the Roman Republic, remains of the rows of columns are still visible today, a market hall in which courts used to meet when the weather was bad
Via SacraMain Street of the Roman Forum
ComitiumMeeting point for the legislative people's assembly
Curia IuliaFormer meeting place of the Roman senate, together with the Comitium and the Rostra (lectern) the political center of the Roman Forum.
Lapis NigerKnown as the place where Romulus was murdered by the senators
Arch of TitusThe oldest surviving triumphal arch of the ancient city commemorates the victory of Titus over the Jews in 71 AD.
PalatinOne of the seven hills of Rome. Legend has it that Romulus founded the city here.
Temple of VespasianToday, three of the almost 15-meter-high Corinthian columns of the temple porch are visible.
Temple of JanusDedicated to the God Janus. Square construction built of bricks, marble paneling and concrete. Does not exist anymore today.
Basilica of MaxentiusLast and largest Roman basilica, also called Constantine's Basilica, since it was begun under Maxentius and completed under Constantine. The aisle can still be seen today.
Temple of ConcordiaTemple dedicated to Concordia, the goddess of concord, symbol of the end of the state battles around 367 BC, today only the podium is visible.
Arch of Septimius SeverusBuilt in 203 BC, more than 20 meters high and still in good condition today
Temple of SaturnSecond oldest temple of the Ancient Rome, built between 501 and 498 B, also repository of treasury, billboards and senate decrees. Columns of gray and pink granite still visible today.
Temple of Castor and PolluxStill visible today, one of the oldest temples of the Roman Forum.
Temple of VestaHere the Holy Fire was guarded by 6 Vestals. Remains of the temple including 3 columns, parts of the inner wall and the frame and the podium are still visible today.
Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina Dedicated to the Emperor and his wife. Today still well preserved, the adjacent archaic cemetery contains nearly 40 remaining graves.
Temple of RomulusWell preserved.

Roman Forum in Rome: How to get there

The Forum Romanum is easily accessible through public transport: The metro station “Colosseo” of the line MEB is only a few steps away. There are also several bus lines, that will bring you very close to the Forum. Including the linen 51, 85, 75, 85, 87, 117 and 18 with bus stops in the Via dei Fori Imperiali. And the lines 40, 60, 80, 780, 781 and 916 which have bus stops at the Piazza Venezia.

Roman Forum in Rome: Entrance

There are two entries to the Forum. On the one hand you can access the Forum via the Via di San Gregoria by getting off at the bus station “San Gregorio” (lines 51, 75, 81, 85 and 87). Or at the tram station “Parco Celio” (lines 3 and 8). If you plan on visiting the Palatine Hill as well, this should be your entrance, as it is not far to both sites from there. Another way to access the Roman Forum is through the Via della Salaria Vecchia. Therefor get off at the bus station “Fori Imperiali/campidoglio” (lines 51, 85 and 87).

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Roman Forum in Rome: Opening hours

The opening hours of the Roman Forum strongly depend on the season. When visiting the Forum make sure you are wearing suitable shoes and that you take enough water with you. Since the Forum is a historical site there are no snack shops inside.

The opening hours of the Roman Forum in Rome are the following. The ticket office closes one hour before the Forum closes.

  • Last Sunday of October until the 15th of February from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm
  • 16th of February until the 15th of March from 8:30 am until 5 pm
  • 16th of March until the last Saturday of March from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm
  • Last Sunday of March until the 31st of August from 8:30 am until 7:15 pm
  • 1st until the 30th of September from 8:30 am until 7 pm
  • 1st of October until the last Saturday of October from 8:30 am until 6:30 pm

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Roman Forum in Rome: Tickets and entry fees

The entry ticket for the Roman Forum also gives you access to the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill and its exhibitions and is valid for 2 days. Adults pay 12 euros, EU-citizens aged 18 to 25 years pay 7,50 euros and teenagers under 18 and disabled persons as well as their assistant can visit the Forum  Romanum in Rome for free.

Roman Forum Tickets
Adults16 euros
Youth 18 to 25 (EU)2 euros
Children under 18 free
Persons with disabilities (including accompanying person)free

In general I advise you to buy tickets online and in advance. So you can avoid long waiting lines in front of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

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3 Reader Comments

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  1. Alexis says:

    Note: cost for combined ticket is 18 € including fee as of 11/7/19. Get at official site if not on a tour

  2. Arik says:

    What sites if any, are open on the new year (31 Dec 2019 – 1 Jan 2020). Please specify days and hours.

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