Virtual tour of the Roman Forum

Entrance on the north side

The Forum valley was a swamp until the late 7th century BC, when it was reclaimed and the Forum took shape. For over a millennium it remained the centre of public life in Rome.

Built in 179 BC

Built by the censors Marcus Fulvius Nobilior and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and named after the Aemilius family. It is the only one of the three Republican basilicas of the Forum with some above-ground parts still intact.

Photo: "Basilica Aemilia in Rome (6)" by Tournasol7 (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Completed in 29 BC

Julius Caesar refounded the Curia after the fire of 52 BC, and Augustus completed it in 29 BC. It survived as the church of Sant'Adriano. The bronze door is a copy of the original.

203 AD

Septimius Severus built it with three archways to celebrate his victories over the Parthians. The inscription names him and his son Caracalla; the name of his other son, Geta, was removed.

Next to the Vestals' house

The round temple kept the sacred fire, never to be extinguished, a symbol of the eternity of Rome. Beside it, the six Vestal Virgins lived in a house built round a courtyard with three basins.

Six columns, 17 m high

Antoninus Pius built it in memory of his wife Faustina, who died in 140 AD. In 161 the Senate added his name. In the 7th century the temple became a church, known since the 11th century as San Lorenzo in Miranda.

Photo: "Divo Antonino Diva Faustina Temple Forum Romanum" by Jebulon (CC0 1.0).

Seen from the Via Sacra

The best-known theory: Maxentius reused it as a temple to his son Valerius Romulus, who died in 309. The building later became the church of Santi Cosma e Damiano.

Begun in 308 AD

Maxentius began it in 308 on the Velia hill, and Constantine finished it with some changes. Only the north aisle survives: three rooms under coffered barrel vaults, the central one with an apse.

Photo: "Basilica Constantine Maxentius Forum Romanum Rome" by Jebulon (CC0 1.0).

Exit and way to the Palatine

Domitian built it in memory of his brother Titus, to celebrate his triumph in the Jewish-Roman War of 70 AD. Here the Clivus Palatinus begins its climb: the visit goes on up the Palatine Hill.

Photo: "Arch of Titus in Rome (2)" by Tournasol7 (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Seven stops inside Hadrian's mausoleum, from the Dromos and the helical ramp to the Treasury room and the Terrace of the Angel.

See Castel Sant'Angelo stop by stop >

Seven stops through the Vatican Museums and St Peter's, from the Courtyard of the Pinecone to the Sistine Chapel and the dome.

Explore the Vatican Museums in 3D >

Six stops inside the amphitheatre, from the outer ring and the arena to the underground and the attic.

Watch the Colosseum virtual tour >