Roman Forum

Via Sacra, meaning ‘Sacred Way’, was the main street of ancient Rome that was used by the Roman Emperors as a parade and funeral route. It was a popular commercial hub that was always busy with the locals moving from place to place. The Via Sacra is located in the Historic Centre of Roman Forum, running from the top of the Capitoline Hill to the Colosseum. As you walk along the cobbled pathways of Via Sacra, you can see renowned attractions like The Arch of Titus, The Temple of Vestals, Temple of Caesar and Temple of Saturn.

Arch of Septimius Severus is a gorgeous arch situated at the foot of the Capitoline Hill on the northwestern end of the Roman Forum. Standing at a height of 23 metres, it has three archways with four intricately carved reliefs which illustrate the scenes of the wars against the Parthian Empire. The arch was built in 203 AD to commemorate the military victories of Emperor Septimius Severus and his two sons, Caracalla and Geta. The interior of the arch is made of travertine limestone, the whole surface along with columns are made of Proconesian white marble and the inscriptions are made in bronze.

The Curia Julia was one of the the meeting places of the Roman Senate during the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. Originally built by Julius Caesar in 44 BC, the Curia underwent several reconstructions over the centuries due to fire and other damages. It was built of bricks and marbles and featured a huge central hall for senate sessions that could accommodate up to 300 people at a time. The structure also had two massive reliefs depicting scenes from the Trajen period, a colourful floor with intricate patterns and a beautiful wooded ceiling. The Curia Julia was later converted into the basilica of Sant'Adriano al Foro during the 7th century.

The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina was constructed by Emperor Antoninus Pius in 141 AD, with a noted frieze after his wife Faustina's death. After his death in 161 AD, he was defied and the temple was also dedicated to him. The temple's facade features a grand portico with eight huge Corinthian columns made of colourful marble. During the 7th century, the temple was converted into the Church of San Lorenzo which underwent several restorations during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The only remains of the temple today are the flight of stairs leading up to the columns of the original temple and the inscription.

Dedicated to goddess Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth, home, and family, the Temple of Vesta is an old shrine dating back to 7th century BC. It was built originally by Numa Pompilius but was reconstructed again in the 2nd century after a fire destroyed it. The architecture of the temple is unique as it is circular and has a domed roof, Greek inspired columns and reliefs built into marble structures. The interior of the temple housed the sacred fire of Vesta, which was looked after by the Vestal Virgins who were 6 priestesses following the vow of celibacy.

Built by Emperor Maxentius in the early 4th century AD, The Temple of Romulus was dedicated to the memory of his deceased son, Valerio Romulus. After the death of Maxentius, the temple was transformed into a shrine for Jupiter by Constantine I. The temple was originally built of bricks with a peculiar circular shape, a concrete dome, two apsidal halls and a gorgeous entrance with two porphyry columns. The highlight of the temple is the bronze entrance door which reflects the divine aura of the site. The Temple of Romulus was later integrated into the Church of Saints Como and Damian in the 5th century.

The Temple of Saturn, situated in the southwestern corner of the Roman Forum, is one of the oldest surviving structures in the Forum dating back to the 4th century BC. The temple was dedicated to Saturn, the god of wealth and agriculture, and was the focal site of Saturnalia celebrations. It is believed to be built on the site of the existing shrine, Ara Staurni, and was initially used as the state treasury where Rome's reserves of gold and silver were stored. The temple's facade features eight massive granite columns resting on huge blocks of travertine and has inscriptions about the temple.

The Temple of the Dioscuri, also known as the Temple of Castor and Pollux, is an ancient Roman temple constructed in the 4th century BC. Originally built to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Lake Regillus, the temple was then dedicated to the twins Castor and Pollux who were the divine sons of Zeus and Leda. It was designed as an octastyle temple with eight Corinthian columns on the short sides and eleven columns on the long sides, a cella with mosaics and slabs of tuff covering the building. Though only three columns remain today, the temple stands as an impressive testament to the architectural prowess of ancient Rome.

The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine is the largest structure in the Roman Forum and was one of the largest basilicas in ancient Rome. Built between 308 and 312 AD by Emperor Maxentius and later completed by Emperor Constantine, the basilica was used as a meeting place for council sessions and general gatherings. It was built with a stunning architecture featuring a mix of cross and barrel concrete vaults which are admired still by modern architects. The basilica also had 8 Corinthian columns, bronze guided wall coverings, bronze covered roof decorations and charming marble floor.