Trajan's Forum

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The forum was designed to be level with the ground, necessitating the excavation of a massive section of the Quirinal Hill.

2. 2

   Apollodorus of Damascus used innovative construction methods, including a complex system of vaulted rooms to stabilize the hillside.

3. 3

   The spiraling relief on Trajan’s Column contains over 2,500 human figures.

4. 4

   Trajan's Column served as the tomb for the Emperor Trajan and his wife, Plotina, following their deaths.

5. 5

   A colossal bronze statue of Trajan once stood at the center of the forum, but was replaced by a statue of Saint Peter in 1587.

6. 6

   The Basilica Ulpia did not serve religious functions, but was a center for legal administration and business.

7. 7

   The two libraries adjacent to the basilica held both Greek and Latin scrolls.

Overview

Trajan's Forum was the final and largest of the Imperial Fora in Rome, commissioned by Emperor Trajan and inaugurated in 112 AD. It was funded by the spoils of the Dacian Wars and designed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus. The complex originally included a vast courtyard, the Basilica Ulpia, two libraries, and the Column of Trajan. The Column of Trajan features a 190-meter-long continuous frieze spiraling to the top, detailing the military campaigns in Dacia. Today, the site remains an open-air archaeological zone along the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Visitors view the structural remnants of the basilica's granite columns and the central plaza from elevated walkways and surrounding streets. The site is a central component of the broader Imperial Fora archaeological complex.

Insider tips

• View the column from the Piazza Venezia side to get the best perspective of the base and the narrative carvings.

• Combine your visit with the nearby Trajan's Market, which offers an elevated view looking down into the forum.

• Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes, as the area surrounding the ruins features uneven, historic cobblestones.