Rome Attractions
Arch of Titus, Roman Forum © Chantelle Meyer
Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
The site of ancient Rome's commercial, political and religious
centre retires in the valley between the Capitoline and Palatine
hills. The Forum's main thoroughfare, Via Sacra, slices through the
old market square and former civic centre. To make sense of the
ruins and relics of the old Republic it is helpful to consult a map
of the area. Some of the best preserved and most notable monuments
include the impressive Arch of Septimus Severus
- a
construction designed to celebrate Roman victory over the
Parthinians - and the former atrium of the House of the Vestal
Virgins and Temple of Vesta. Also of note are the Temple of
Antoninus and Faustina, and the Arch of Titus, built to celebrate
Titus' destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. To the right of the arch
are stairs snaking up the Palatine hill through a series of
terraces to the Farnese gardens. The scented avenue festooned with
roses and orange trees gives way to a vista over the Forum.
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali;
Telephone: (06) 3996 7700;
Opening time: Daily 9am to 7.30pm (April to September) and 9am to 4.30pm (October to March);
Admission: Free
