- Imperial Forum Rome - Neil Gunn
The Imperial Forum, Roman Forum and the Colosseum are three of the most important historic sites in the city and are well worth including in your tour of Rome.
Ancient Rome Tour
A good place to start your exploration of Rome's ancient places is at the Piazza Venezia and the hugely impressive Monument to Vittorio Emannuel II (the first king of unified Italy).
Imperial Forum
Leaving the Piazza Venezia, the Via Dei Fori Imperiali stretches out towards the imposing Colosseum and runs through the most historic part of Rome. The Imperial Forum (Fori Imperiali) is an area that once embodied the strength of Imperial Rome, as succeeding emperors, as symbols of their personal power and wealth, built a series of fora. Today it seems to the untrained eye to be a clutter of columns and ruins.
The Imperial Forum however is a site where history is being revealed, as archaeologists continue to bring the past to life. Excavations have been opened at the Forum of Caesar, the Temple of Peace and the Forum of Trajan.
Much of the site, which was constructed over many years, (between 50BC – AD113) was started by Julius Caesar and continued by Augustus, Vespasian and others, is visible from the road, but if you want to get closer, you must be part of an organised tour.
Roman Forum
On the other side of the road is the Roman Forum one of the city’s most evocative and fascinating place to visit. It was the centre of political, commercial and religious life during the Republican era. There is so much to see as you walk among the ruins, savouring the unique atmosphere, as the rich and powerful of Roman society once did.
There are various entrance points to the Forum. Perhaps the best is from the Via Dei Fori Imperiali on to the Via Sacra (Sacred Way) which runs through the heart of the site.
It’s really important to allow yourself plenty of time to explore, and it is essential to take a guidebook, which will explain what you are looking at.
Colosseum
For many the Colosseum is one of the Italian capital’s best-known landmarks, it is the world’s largest surviving ancient Roman structure and is almost 2000 years old.
As you stop to admire what is left of the building it is worth reflecting that its original use was as a symbol of Roman cruelty and imperial power where men and animals were brutally put to death in order to satisfy a lust for blood.
Like the Forum, it is an evocative and unique experience to gaze on its imposing facade, much of which has fallen victim to fires and earthquakes, and then perhaps wonder how on earth the remaining part has managed to survive the effects of the Roman traffic which roars past. Inside it’s not difficult to imagine the crowds watching a gladiatorial contest or starving lions looking for blood.
A guidebook is essential to make the most of your visit.
Useful information
For details of prices and duration and to book a tour of the Imperial Forum telephone the visitor centre on 06 679 7702 daily 9.30 –6pm or the official Rome Tourist Office on 39 06 488991. www.rome.info/
The ticket office to the Roman Forum is at the Arco di Tito at the entrance to the Forum. Audio guides are available in Italian and English.
For entrance to the the Colosseum, the ticket office is on site and audio guides are available in a number of languages including English.
For further information about all three sites mentioned, including details about tours and entrance prices call the official Rome Tourist Office for details telephone 39 06 488991
Metro: The nearest metro station is Colosseo (line B) Situated at the Colosseum end of the Via Dei Fori Imperiali.
Bus: There are a number of buses which run between the Colosseum to Piazza Venezia.
