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BOOK ACTIVITY

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

5-6 Via della Salara Vecchia, Roma, Lazio

Description

The Roman Forum was for many centuries Rome's main square, where triumphal processions, elections, and public speeches took place. It was filled with statues and monuments, some of which date from the 8th century BC, but increasingly government offices (including the Senate house) were built there so that the open space area shrunk and alternative forums such as Trajan's Forum were developed. Some of the most famous monuments include the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, and the Arch of Septimius Severus. Immediately to the south-west of the Foro is Palatine Hill, one of the first settled area and, according to the myth, the location where the she-wolf Lupa who kept Romulus (founder of the city) and Remus alive. Excavations have shown structures dating from the 10th century BC and this is where Emperors traditionally built their palaces. The most famous monuments include the Palace of Domitian, the House of Augustus, and the House of Tiberius.

Access & Transport

The Forum and Palatine Hill are in between the Colosseo and the Capitoline Museums / Piazza Venezia. The closest metro and tram station is Colosseo (MEB, MEB1, tram 8) Buses 85 and 87 stop along Fori Imperiali and several buses serve the area around Colosseo and Via di San Gregorio, at the south-eastern end of the complex. (51, 75, 85, 87, 111) and tram stop Colosseo/Salvi N. (8)

Instructions & Recommendations

Advanced reservation is required (including for free tickets); online booking is easiest on: https://www.coopculture.it/en/products/ticket-colosseum-roman-forum-palatine_24h/ Note that the ticket also provides access to the Colosseum. There is also another ticket combination called "Forum Pass Super Ticket" that allows access to the Roman Forum + Trajan Forum but not the Colosseum.

Meta review

The monuments along the Foro Romano are some of the most iconic in Rome and they are on the short-list of every traveller to the city. Online reviews are excellent, qualifying the experience of "a journey through time". The main recurring advice is to start the visit early to avoid the heat (in the summer) and the crowds and invest into an audio-guide or guided tour to make sense of what you are seeing, which is what many visitors seem to be struggling with. The main recurring complaint relates to the staff being in a hurry to go home and start closing areas 45mins before the official closing time.

Environmental & Social

We deem this activity environmentally neutral and it helps preserve the city's historical and architectural heritage.

Conclusion

In the collective imagination, this is the symbol of the Roman Empire, alongside the Colosseum (right next to it). It is difficult to put the first impressions into words and even though it may not be perfect in terms of information boards, time consuming security, etc.; it really is one-of-a-kind experience: a jump into the past.

Key positive

Unique and amazing complex of ruins

Central and easy to reach by public transport

Entrance fee is not excessively priced

Key negative

Could do with more visual rendering of the monuments on information boards

Staff starting to close too early

Suitability

There are some paths for wheelchair users

About this Rating

TYPE

Onsite

RESEARCHED IN

April 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
Transport to/from
Includes entrance to Colosseum
Timing
Duration of visit
Last admission is 1h before closing. Closed on 01 Jan, 25 Dec.

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:2h

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Apr, 01

Season 1

MONDAY09:00 - 18:30

TUESDAY09:00 - 18:30

WEDNESDAY09:00 - 18:30

THURSDAY09:00 - 18:30

FRIDAY09:00 - 18:30

SATURDAY09:00 - 18:30

SUNDAY09:00 - 18:30

Start of Season 2:Nov, 01

Season 2

MONDAY09:00 - 16:30

TUESDAY09:00 - 16:30

WEDNESDAY09:00 - 16:30

THURSDAY09:00 - 16:30

FRIDAY09:00 - 16:30

SATURDAY09:00 - 16:30

SUNDAY09:00 - 16:30

Pricing
Provides access to Colosseum (not the Arena), Roman Forum and Palatine
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€18
Adult
18 - 64
€18
Child
3 - 17
€0
Infant
0 - 2
€0
Includes €2 online booking fee. Price for EU citizens aged 18-25 is €4

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