Trajan’s Forum in Rome: History, Tickets & How to Visit the Foro di Traiano

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There are landmarks everyone expects to see in Rome, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Square… But just behind Piazza Venezia lies one of the city’s most spectacular ancient sites, often missed by visitors: Trajan’s Forum, or Foro di Traiano in Italian.

Nestled between the Colosseum and the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, this monumental complex represents the peak of Imperial Rome. Inaugurated in the 2nd century AD, it was built to celebrate Emperor Trajan’s military victories and showcase his power through extraordinary architecture, a vast marble square, a grand basilica, two libraries, and a triumphal column that still stands proudly today.

Trajan’s Forum in Rome is remarkably easy to visit, whether you stop to admire it from the Via dei Fori Imperiali or step inside Trajan’s Markets, now a fascinating archaeological museum. It’s also the perfect starting point for exploring the other Imperial Forums and nearby Roman landmarks.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit to Trajan’s Forum:

• where it’s located and how to get there,
• the site’s rich history and key highlights,
• opening hours, tickets, and practical tips,
• plus the best nearby places to visit for an unforgettable day in Ancient Rome.

Ready to travel back to the golden age of the Roman Empire and explore one of its most magnificent forums?

What Is Trajan’s Forum in Rome?

If you walk along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, you’ll come across a vast archaeological area filled with ancient columns — and one enormous marble column standing tall above them all. That’s Trajan’s Forum, the largest and best-preserved of all the Imperial Forums in Rome.

This monumental complex was built between 107 and 113 AD at the request of Emperor Trajan, to celebrate his military victories and to expand the city’s public spaces. Back then, Romans came here to handle state affairs, administer justice, or consult the imperial archives. It was one of the most important and bustling areas of the ancient city.

Measuring 300 meters long and 185 meters wide, Trajan’s Forum was larger than all the other Imperial Forums combined. Its buildings were clad in marble, decorated with colossal statues, and surrounded by elegant porticoes. The site also included a massive basilica, two libraries, and a monumental equestrian statue of Trajan standing proudly at the center of the square.

Today, the Trajan’s Column still stands perfectly preserved, alongside the foundations of columns and remnants of the ancient porticoes. You can admire everything directly from the street, making it one of the easiest and most rewarding ancient sites to visit while walking through Rome’s historic center. It’s a must-see stop if you want to experience one of the most impressive symbols of Roman power.

Practical Information for Visiting Trajan’s Forum

Planning to visit Trajan’s Forum in Rome during your stay? Great idea — it’s one of the most accessible ancient sites in the city, and you can actually see much of it for free just by walking along the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.

Where is Trajan's Forum located in Rome?

Trajan’s Forum is located right in the historic heart of Rome, next to Piazza Venezia and the famous Victor Emmanuel II Monument.

It sits literally in the middle of the Imperial Forums, between the Capitoline Hill and the Colosseum.

• Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

To get your bearings easily:

• If you’re standing in front of the Vittoriano Monument, you’ll see Trajan’s Column just behind it, on the Via dei Fori Imperiali side.
• Coming from the Colosseum? Simply walk up the main avenue toward Piazza Venezia, you’ll arrive right at the site.

How to Get to Trajan’s Forum in Rome

There are several easy ways to reach the Forum of Trajan using Rome’s public transport system.

• By metro: Take Line B and get off at Colosseo Station. Walk up the Via dei Fori Imperiali toward Piazza Venezia, you’ll reach Trajan’s Column in about 10 minutes.
• By bus: This is the most convenient option if you’re staying near the city center or the Vatican. Recommended lines: 51, 75, 81, 85, 87, or 118. Get off at Piazza Venezia or Fori Imperiali, the forum is right in front of you.
• On foot: The site is so central that you can easily walk there. From Piazza Venezia, it’s about 1 minute; from the Capitoline Hill, around 5 minutes; and from the Colosseum, about 10 to 12 minutes. It’s a beautiful walk surrounded by the ruins of the Imperial Forums.
• By car (not recommended): This area is busy and part of Rome’s ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone). It’s best to use public transport or simply walk, it’s easier, faster, and you’ll enjoy the views much more.

Can You Visit Trajan’s Forum?

Yes, you can visit Trajan’s Forum, and it’s actually very easy to access.

You have two options:

Free access: You can admire the main remains, including Trajan’s Column, directly from the Via dei Fori Imperiali without a ticket. The view from the street already gives you an excellent overview of the site.

With a ticket: For a deeper experience, visit Trajan’s Markets (Mercati di Traiano), which are part of the same archaeological complex. This ticketed visit includes (check last prices on this page):

• Elevated viewpoints overlooking the forum
• Scale models and original fragments inside the museum
• Exhibition rooms that explain the site’s history and reconstruction

It’s the best way to get a complete understanding of the Forum of Trajan and the world of Ancient Rome.

Opening Hours, Tickets & Prices – Trajan’s Markets

Trajan’s Markets opening hours:

Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (last entry 1 hour before closing)

Ticket prices:

• Full price: €13
• Reduced: €9.50 (conditions apply; prices may increase during temporary exhibitions)
• Skip-the-line ticket + multimedia video: €32

Travel tip: If you’re visiting on a weekend or during the high season, it’s best to buy your ticket online (check availability on this page) in advance to avoid waiting in line.

How Long Does the Visit Take?

For a relaxed visit, plan about:

• 30 to 45 minutes if you’re only viewing the site from the street,
• or 1.5 to 2 hours if you include the Trajan’s Markets Museum.

That’s the perfect amount of time to enjoy the view, explore the remains, and understand how the site was structured, without rushing.

Best Time to Visit

• Morning: Softer light and fewer crowds.
• Late afternoon: Ideal for taking beautiful photos of the site and the Trajan’s Column.
• Avoid midday to 3 p.m. in summer: The area is very exposed to the sun and can get hot.

It’s also worth passing by in the evening, part of the site is illuminated, making it a lovely stop during a nighttime stroll through Rome.

History of Trajan’s Forum

Who Was Emperor Trajan?

Trajan, emperor from 98 to 117 AD, is often regarded as one of Rome’s greatest rulers. Under his reign, the Roman Empire reached its maximum territorial expansion. His victories over the Dacians (in present-day Romania) brought enormous wealth to Rome, and it was this war treasure that financed the construction of the Forum of Trajan.

Why a Forum Dedicated to Trajan?

In ancient Rome, the most influential emperors each built their own Imperial Forum. Trajan’s Forum was designed to showcase the Empire’s power and celebrate his military campaigns in Dacia. It was also a highly functional public space, a place for administration, justice, and the storage of archives. In short: a perfect blend of imperial propaganda and civic utility.

A Monumental Project: Construction & Architecture

Work began in 107 AD and was completed around 112–113 AD.

To make room for the new forum, the Romans literally cut through a hill between the Capitoline and Quirinal Hills, removing nearly 40 meters of earth, an extraordinary engineering feat for the time.

The project was entrusted to Apollodorus of Damascus, one of the most renowned architects of the Roman Empire. His mission: to build the largest forum ever constructed in Rome. Mission accomplished.

The Forum Through the Centuries

After Antiquity, the site gradually fell into ruin. Stones and marble were reused for other buildings, and medieval structures were later built on top of the ancient remains.

From the Renaissance onward, archaeological excavations began to rediscover and preserve what was left of the forum.

Since the 20th century, research has continued, leading to partial reconstructions and important new discoveries that help historians better understand how this monumental complex once looked, without rebuilding it entirely.

The Architecture of Trajan’s Forum: What You Can See Today

When you first arrive at Trajan’s Forum, you’ll mostly see ruins. But look a little closer, and it’s easy to picture how spectacular this complex once was. Several parts of the site are still visible today, each telling a fascinating story about the grandeur of Imperial Rome. Here are the main monuments that once stood inside Trajan’s Forum.

The Equestrian Statue of Trajan (Reconstruction)

At the center of the forum once stood a massive bronze statue of Emperor Trajan on horseback. Although the original no longer exists, reconstructions give an idea of its impressive scale, the statue alone measured about 3.5 meters high, not counting its pedestal.

It depicted Trajan crowned in victory, looking out over his people, a powerful symbol of Rome’s might at its peak.

The Basilica Ulpia

At the far end of the forum stood the Basilica Ulpia, the largest civil basilica in Rome at the time. It served as a court of law and an administrative center for public affairs.

Today, you can still see the rows of column bases marking its vast dimensions. Even in ruins, its layout and main axis are easy to recognize, a reminder of how monumental this building once was.

The Greek and Latin Libraries

Flanking Trajan’s Column were two libraries, one for Greek texts, the other for Latin works. They held public archives and served as centers of knowledge and culture.

The structures are no longer standing, but their exact locations have been confirmed through archaeological excavations and ancient writings.

Trajan’s Markets (and the Museum of the Imperial Forums)

On one side of the forum, you’ll notice a large semicircular brick structure, these are Trajan’s Markets (Mercati di Traiano).

Originally, they housed shops, offices, and imperial administration rooms. Several levels are still intact, making it one of the best-preserved ancient complexes in Rome.

Today, the site hosts the Museum of the Imperial Forums, where visitors can see original fragments, detailed models, and multimedia displays that bring the ancient forum back to life.

The Monumental Entrance Arch

The southern entrance to the forum was marked by a triumphal arch topped with a statue of Trajan riding a six-horse chariot. The decorative elements are long gone, but the arch’s location has been identified at the point where Trajan’s Forum connected with Augustus’s Forum.

As you walk along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, you can still spot the foundations of these monumental gateways.

Trajan’s Column: Symbol, Detail & Legacy

The Column of Trajan is the forum’s most famous monument, and one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome.

Standing nearly 40 meters tall, it tells the story of Trajan’s Dacian Wars through a spiral frieze about 200 meters long, featuring more than 2,500 carved figures.

It’s also one of the few ancient monuments to have survived intact for almost 2,000 years.

At its base lies a small funerary chamber where Trajan’s ashes were placed after his death, a lasting tribute to the emperor who built the most magnificent forum of Imperial Rome.

Plan of Trajan’s Forum & 3D Reconstruction

Even though much of Trajan’s Forum has disappeared, there are still several ways to understand how the site was originally organized during your visit. Taking a few minutes to look at these reconstructions really helps you make sense of what you’re seeing.

The layout of Trajan’s Forum followed a highly geometric plan: a large rectangular square surrounded by porticoes, with the Basilica Ulpia at the back and Trajan’s Column rising just behind it. On either side stood two libraries, one Greek, one Latin, while Trajan’s Markets extended up the slope of the Quirinal Hill.

To help you visualize the site, you’ll find informational panels around the archaeological area, especially along the Via dei Fori Imperiali. They show simple maps and illustrations that reconstruct the forum as it looked in the 2nd century AD.

Inside the Museum of the Imperial Forums (Museo dei Fori Imperiali), located in Trajan’s Markets, you can also see excellent 3D models and scale reconstructions of the complex, complete with its architecture, decorations, and spatial layout. It’s one of the best ways to grasp the forum’s original grandeur.

If you want to dive even deeper, several digital reconstructions and interactive screens inside the museum let you superimpose the ancient forum over today’s ruins. This gives you a striking view of how the site once looked nearly 2,000 years ago.

Tip: Take a few moments to study these plans and visuals before (or during) your visit, they’ll make your exploration of Trajan’s Forum far more immersive and rewarding.

Fun Facts & Hidden Details About Trajan’s Forum

Trajan’s Forum is full of fascinating details that are easy to overlook on a first visit, yet each one reveals something about the power and prestige of Imperial Rome. Here are a few stories that make the site even more interesting once you know them.

Trajan’s Ashes Rest Beneath the Column

At the base of Trajan’s Column, there’s a small funerary chamber that once held the ashes of Emperor Trajan and his wife, Plotina.

This was a remarkable exception: Roman emperors were not normally allowed to be buried within the city walls. The fact that Trajan was granted this honor shows how deeply respected and admired he was by his contemporaries.

A Column That Marks the Hill’s Original Height

Standing at about 40 meters high, the column doesn’t just depict Trajan’s campaigns in Dacia, it also indicates the amount of earth removed during the forum’s construction.

In other words, it’s both a commemorative monument and a technical marker, revealing the massive scale of excavation that took place in the 2nd century AD.

A Statue Swap at the Top

Originally, the column was topped by a bronze statue of Emperor Trajan. Over the centuries, it disappeared, and in the 16th century, Pope Sixtus V ordered it replaced with a statue of Saint Peter, which you can still see today.

This symbolic change reflects how the forum evolved through history, shifting from an imperial monument to a Christian landmark.

What to See Near Trajan’s Forum in Rome

Trajan’s Forum sits right in the heart of one of Rome’s most monument-packed areas. Within just a few minutes on foot, you can explore several of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Here are seven nearby sights you shouldn’t miss to complete your visit 👇

• The Forum of Caesar : Located right next door, this was the first extension of the Roman Forum, built by Julius Caesar when the original forum became too small. You can admire its remains directly from Via dei Fori Imperiali, it’s the perfect introduction to the Imperial Forums.
• The Forum of Augustus : Still recognizable thanks to its massive back wall, this forum was dedicated to Emperor Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. Its remains give a strong sense of the grandeur of imperial architecture, and its proximity to Trajan’s Forum makes it easy to compare the different building styles.
• The Colosseum : Just a 10-minute walk away, the Colosseum is the natural next stop on your ancient Rome itinerary. It’s the most famous amphitheater in the world, and one of the ultimate symbols of Rome and the Roman Empire.
• The Capitoline Museums : Set atop the Capitoline Hill, these museums offer one of the best panoramic views of the Roman Forums. Inside, you’ll find an exceptional collection of ancient art and artifacts, including sculptures and relics discovered in the Imperial Forums themselves.
• Piazza Venezia & the Victor Emmanuel II Monument : The Vittoriano, a vast white marble monument, stands directly in front of Trajan’s Forum. You can climb up to its first terrace for free for a beautiful view of central Rome.
• Church of Santa Maria di Loreto : Right next to Trajan’s Column, this elegant domed church contrasts beautifully with the ancient ruins around it. It’s a great visual landmark that highlights the layers of history you find everywhere in Rome.
• Via dei Fori Imperiali : Strolling along this iconic avenue, you can admire the entire row of Imperial Forums, from Caesar’s to Augustus’s and Trajan’s. It’s one of the best walks in Rome to grasp just how important this area was in the days of the Roman Empire.

FAQ About Trajan’s Forum in Rome

When was Trajan’s Forum built?

Trajan’s Forum was built between AD 107 and 113, during the reign of Emperor Trajan.

What was the purpose of Trajan’s Forum?

It served as Rome’s administrative, judicial, and political center, and also celebrated Trajan’s victory over the Dacians.

What’s the difference between Trajan’s Forum and the Forum of Caesar or Augustus?

Trajan’s Forum was the largest and most monumental of all the Imperial Forums. It was built later and focused more on administration and imperial propaganda.

Can you go inside Trajan’s Forum?

You can view the ruins freely from Via dei Fori Imperiali, but to explore further, you’ll need to visit the Trajan’s Markets Museum, which gives access to the site’s upper levels and exhibits.

Was Trajan’s Column built before the forum?

No. Trajan’s Column was completed in AD 113, at the very end of the forum’s construction.

Where can I see a reconstruction of Trajan’s Forum?

You’ll find plans and 3D reconstructions on the information panels along Via dei Fori Imperiali and inside the Museum of the Imperial Forums.

Why is there a statue of Saint Peter on top of Trajan’s Column?

The original bronze statue of Trajan disappeared during the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, Pope Sixtus V replaced it with a statue of Saint Peter, which remains there today.