Between the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia, buried 4-6 meters below the modern road, lies the greatest concentration of imperial architecture the Romans ever built. Five forums — Caesar's, Augustus's, Nerva's, Vespasian's (the Temple of Peace), and Trajan's — constructed over 150 years as each emperor tried to outdo his predecessor. Trajan won. His forum was the largest, most lavish, and included the 30-meter column whose spiral frieze tells the story of the Dacian Wars in 2,662 carved figures. Mussolini drove a road (Via dei Fori Imperiali) straight through the middle of them in 1932. Decades of excavation have revealed extraordinary structures beneath and beside the road. Rome guide → · Colosseum →
Plan my Rome trip →Forum of Trajan (Foro di Traiano, 112 AD): The largest and last of the imperial forums. Trajan's Column (Colonna Traiana) is the centerpiece — 30m of continuous marble relief spiraling upward, depicting the Dacian Wars with over 2,662 individually carved figures. The detail is extraordinary and was originally painted in color. The column is free to view from Via dei Fori Imperiali. The Mercati di Traiano museum (€16) flanks the forum and gives the best views.
Forum of Augustus (Foro di Augusto, 2 BC): Built to house the Temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger), vowed by Augustus before the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. The massive firewall separating the forum from the Subura slum district (30m high, still standing) tells you everything about Roman social geography. Three columns of the temple and part of the staircase survive. Visible from the street, but the underground sections reveal the original pavement and decorative programs.
Forum of Nerva (Foro di Nerva, 97 AD): The narrowest forum, squeezed between Augustus's and Vespasian's. Two columns of the Temple of Minerva (the "Colonnacce") still stand — one of Rome's most photogenic fragments. Forum of Caesar (Foro di Cesare, 46 BC): The first of the imperial forums, built by Julius Caesar with spoils from the Gallic Wars. Three columns of the Temple of Venus Genetrix (Caesar claimed descent from Venus through Aeneas) are re-erected. Recent excavations below Via dei Fori Imperiali have revealed the forum's commercial areas.
1. Free from above: Walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali (pedestrianized on Sundays) and view the excavated forums from the railings. Trajan's Column, the Colonnacce, and Augustus's firewall are all visible. 2. Mercati di Traiano museum (€16): Best comprehensive view and the roof terrace overlooking everything. 3. Underground excavations: The Foro di Cesare and Foro di Traiano have underground visitor routes (access sometimes through special exhibitions or combined tickets — check museiincomuneroma.it). 4. Viaggi nell'Antica Roma night show (summer): A sound-and-light multimedia projection onto the Forum of Augustus walls (April-November, €15-20, book at viaggioneifori.it). You watch from seats in the forum while the architecture is reconstructed in light around you. One of Rome's best experiences.
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali (Metro B: Colosseo). Viewing the forums from the street: free, always accessible. Mercati di Traiano: €16. Night shows: €15-20 (April-November). Duration: 30min for a walk along the street; 1.5h with the Mercati museum; add 1h for the night show. Best time: early morning (light on the columns) or the night show (summer). Combine with: Colosseum (5min), Roman Forum + Palatine (adjacent), Mercati di Traiano, Capitoline Museums (10min).