The political, commercial, and religious heart of ancient Rome preserves temples, the Senate house (Curia Julia), triumphal arches of Titus and Septimius Severus, and the Via Sacra processional road. Palatine Hill above was home to Rome's emperors and commands views over the entire Forum.
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill form an interconnected open-air complex at the heart of ancient Rome, accessible via the Via Sacra — the Sacred Way that once served as the city's primary processional route. The Forum valley between the Capitoline and Palatine hills was originally a marshy burial ground, drained and built upon from the 7th century BC onwards. At its peak in the 2nd century AD the Forum was bordered by some of the most important buildings in the Roman world. The Temple of Saturn (497 BC foundation) preserves eight Ionic columns among the oldest standing structures in Rome. The Curia Julia — Julius Caesar's senate house, rebuilt by Augustus after Caesar's assassination — survives nearly intact, its bronze doors original. The Temple of Vesta, where the eternal flame was tended by the Vestal Virgins, stands at the Forum's center alongside the House of the Vestal Virgins, a rectangular courtyard whose garden pool still holds the pedestals of the Vestals' statues. The Basilica of Maxentius (begun 308 AD), a vast vaulted hall whose engineering directly informed Brunelleschi's design for the Florence Cathedral dome, dominates the eastern end of the Forum. Two triumphal arches frame the Via Sacra: the Arch of Titus (81 AD), commemorating the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD with relief carvings of the looted menorah, and the Arch of Septimius Severus (203 AD) at the western end near the senate house. Palatine Hill — approached by the Clivus Palatinus from the Forum — was Rome's most prestigious residential district. Augustus was born here in 63 BC and chose to remain on the hill as emperor, establishing a tradition that made the hill synonymous with imperial power and gave English the word palace from the Latin Palatium. The Domus Augustana, Domus Flavia, and Stadium of Domitian spread across the hilltop; excavated Iron Age huts near the summit mark the legendary founding site of Rome. The Palatine Hill Museum, housed in the former convent of Santa Maria Nova, displays original marble decoration, stucco ceilings, and frescoes from Augustus's house. The site is managed by the Parco Colosseo authority and is included in the combined Colosseum ticket.
Why it matters
The Forum Romanum was the political, judicial, religious, and commercial center of the Roman Republic and early Empire for nearly a millennium — the space where the senate voted, magistrates dispensed justice, and triumphs were celebrated. Palatine Hill above it was the birthplace of Rome and the residence of every emperor from Augustus to Septimius Severus.
Highlights
- Curia Julia — Julius Caesar's senate house, reconstructed by Augustus and remarkably well preserved
- Arch of Titus (81 AD) with relief carvings depicting the sack of Jerusalem and the menorah procession
- Temple of Saturn columns — among the oldest standing structures in Rome (foundation 497 BC)
- Palatine Hill imperial palaces (Domus Augustana, Domus Flavia) with views over the Circus Maximus
- House of the Vestal Virgins with its garden pool and original statue pedestals
Tips for visiting
- Enter from the Via Sacra (near the Arch of Titus) for the most logical east-to-west circuit through the Forum.
- The Palatine Hill Museum, included in the combined ticket, is frequently missed by visitors — it houses original frescoes from Augustus's private house.
- Allow at least 2.5-3 hours for the Forum alone; Palatine Hill adds another 60-90 minutes.
- Download the Parco Colosseo official app for GPS-triggered audio commentary at each monument.
- Morning visits are best — the Forum floor faces east and natural light favors photography in the first two hours after opening at 9AM.
Accessibility
The Forum valley floor is accessible by wheelchair along paved paths, though certain sections have uneven ancient cobblestones. Palatine Hill provides ramps and paved routes to the Domus Augustana and Palatine Museum, but some summit areas require stairs. Contact Parco Colosseo in advance for the current accessible route map.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Roman Forum included in the Colosseum ticket?
Yes — the combined Parco Colosseo ticket (€18-22 depending on season) grants entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. The ticket is valid for 24 hours, so the Forum and Palatine Hill can be visited the following day if needed.
How English-friendly is the site?
Information panels throughout the Forum and on Palatine Hill are in Italian and English. The Parco Colosseo app provides English-language audio guides with GPS-triggered commentary at each monument.
Can visitors with mobility impairments access the Forum?
The Forum valley floor is largely accessible by wheelchair along paved paths, though some areas have uneven cobblestones. Palatine Hill has ramps and paved routes to the main imperial palaces, but some summit areas are reached only by stairs.