The Imperial Forums are a series of monumental public squares built by Rome’s rulers beside the older Roman Forum. Stretching along Via dei Fori Imperiali, their remains include marble columns, temple foundations and brick walls, with the Colosseum at one end of the avenue and Piazza Venezia at the other.
Julius Caesar began the sequence in the first century BC; later emperors added complexes of their own, culminating in Trajan’s Forum in the early second century AD. These spaces served civic and religious purposes, but they were also statements of power. Augustus dedicated a temple to Mars Ultor, while Trajan’s Column commemorated his Dacian campaigns in a spiral of carved scenes. Together, the ruins reveal how architecture helped rulers shape the story of imperial Rome.
Much of the site is visible for free from the railings along Via dei Fori Imperiali, where the elevated pavement offers a view across the excavations. For a closer look, visit the Museum of the Imperial Forums in Trajan’s Markets, a remarkable brick complex displaying sculpture and architectural fragments. Go early or near sunset for softer light and less summer heat, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water: shade is limited. Check the museum’s current hours and ticket arrangements before visiting; Colosseo on Metro Line B is within walking distance.