This is an obliged visit if you come in Rome.  Going through Via dei Fori Imperiali from PiazzaVenezia (Venezia Square) you can immerse yourself in more the one century of history (between the 46 before Christ and the 113 after Christ). In that period in the very heart of the city there were the construction of several monumental squares named like the emperors who wanted them. All the Forums you can admire in Rome are the following ones:

Forum of Caesar
 
This was the first big square of the Imperial forums (46 before Christ) wanted by the emperor Julius Caesar. This first forum had an important propagandist function but it also represented the political power. Here people didn’t carry out commercial activities because this was the first place where it was possible to organize political and business meetings.

This square was surrounded by columns and at the middle there was the construction of the Venus Temple. Inside this temple there were many artistic works that made the Forum of Caesar a little museum.

Forum of August

Also in this case the construction of this square had propagandistic purposes and its decoration inaugurated the Gold Age started exactly during the Augusto’s principality. Inside the Forum there was the construction of a Temple dedicated to Mars. This building was based on a very high wall that is still now well preserved and visible. 

Forum of the Peace

This construction is also known as Forum of Vespasiano and it was built to celebrate the conquest of Jerusalem. This Forum had a different structure compared to the others: it was characterized by a squared shape surrounded by porches. The central area of this Forum didn’t have the characteristic shape of a square but it was constructed as a garden with grasses, pools and statues. It was a  sort of open-pit museum. Inside these Fourm there were the ruins of the Temple of Jerusalem, among them for example there was the famous seven branched candlestick and many artistic works.

The Forum of Nerva

This forum is placed in a big square surrounded by a long colonnade. The pavement of this construction was made up by marble and travertine.

The Forum of Traiano

This is the last one of the Imperial Forums but it also the biggest and the most magnificent among them.  This square had a rectangular shape and it was surrounded by a porch made up by columns.

How to arrive there

You can arrive here going through Viale dei Fori Imperiali.

By Bus you can catch the lines n. 175, 84, 85, 87, 810 that all stop in Via Dei Fori Imperiali.
By Subway the most closed stop is the “Coliseum” one (Subway B).

Imperial Forums opening hours

Everyday except Tueasday from 9:00 a.m to 19:00 p.m.

Places that deserve special attention in this area

The Circo Massimo, the Coliseum , the Domus Aurea .

Overnight stay in the area

You can choose one of the hotels placed in Roma Termini near the Imperial Forums

Where to eat in the area

After you have visited the Imperial Forums you can eat in one of the several inns placed in the Esquilino zone.

Amusements in the area

You can have fun spending your time in the several pubs and clubs that surround the Coliseum.

Related Articles:

The Coliseum

The Campidoglio

The city of Rome

The Pantheon

The Basilica of Saint Peter

Map: