Foro Romano

About the museum

The Foro Romano occupies the valley between the Campidoglio, the Palatino and the Quirinale, once marshy and drained from the Archaic period onwards. For centuries it was the political, religious and commercial centre of Rome: assemblies, trials, ceremonies and markets were held here, and the city’s main monuments stood here.

Along the Via Sacra stand buildings from different periods, from the Curia, seat of the Senate, to the temples of Saturn, of Castor and Pollux and of Antoninus and Faustina, from the House of the Vestals to the arches of Septimius Severus and Titus. In the imperial age the square was enlarged and monumentalised, while in the Middle Ages many buildings were turned into churches or abandoned, and the Forum became a pasture known as the “Campo Vaccino”.

Systematic excavations, begun in the nineteenth century and continuing to the present day, have brought much of the area to light. Today the Foro Romano is part of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo (Colosseum Archaeological Park) and is visited together with the Palatino on a single ticket, with entrances from Largo della Salara Vecchia and from the Arch of Titus.

Highlights

• Via Sacra, the street of triumphal processions
• Arch of Titus and Arch of Septimius Severus
• Curia Iulia, former seat of the Senate
• Temple of Saturn and Temple of Castor and Pollux
• House of the Vestals and Santa Maria Antiqua

Permanent exhibitions

• Area archeologica del Foro Romano – Route through the Via Sacra, temples, arches and basilicas of the political and religious centre of ancient Rome.
• Museo del Foro Romano – Former Antiquarium Forense in the cloister of Santa Maria Nova, with finds from the excavations of the Forum; included in the ticket.

Operated by

Parco archeologico del Colosseo

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, 25 April, 2 June and 4 November.

Access to the Palatino is included in the Colosseo, Foro Romano and Palatino ticket and in the Forum Pass SUPER (without the Colosseo; not valid on the free first Sunday of the month). Tickets are personal and named. Entry to the Foro Romano and Palatino is allowed once, within 24 hours before or after the booked visit to the Colosseo.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The three main entrances to the Foro Romano and Palatino (Largo della Salara Vecchia, Arco di Tito, Via di San Gregorio) are accessible by wheelchair. The climb to the top of the Palatino has steep sections and uneven paving; the park plans to extend the accessible routes from 1.5 to 2 km. There are lifts and a platform lift at the Arch of Titus; the Museo Palatino has a lift and two stairlifts. All 8 public toilets are accessible, and five wheelchairs are available on loan at the main entrances. Along the route there are three tactile panels on the Palatino and four in the Museo Palatino.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Main entrance to the Foro Romano at Largo della Salara Vecchia; other entrances at the Arco di Tito and in Via di San Gregorio.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Refreshment point and bookshop in the archaeological area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit