The Roman Forum and the Palatine, life in Ancient Rome

Located next to the Colosseum we can find the Roman Forum and the Palatine, the places where political, commercial and religious life took place in Rome 2,000 years ago, the capital of the Roman Empire.
Visiting the Roman Forum we can understand what life was like in the city at that time, thanks to the remains that we can visit today.
On the other hand, the Palatine is the hill that is next to the Roman Forum and where we can see the ruins of the Imperial Residence built by Augustus.
What to visit in the Roman Forum and the Palatine
What to see in the Roman Forum
The Roman Forum contains a large number of building ruins, some better preserved than others.
Its visit requires a lot of time, a time that will pass very quickly imagining how the Romans lived there at that time.
Among the main monuments that we can see in the Roman Forum we must highlight the Arch of Titus, which commemorates the victory of Rome over Jerusalem
Or the Arch of Septimius Severus, which commemorates the third anniversary of Septimius Severus in power.
We can also highlight the Curia, one of the best preserved monuments and where senators and politicians met, the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, not very well preserved but one of the most important buildings of the time, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the best preserved of all or the Speakers’ Tribune.
And of course you shouldn’t miss a walk along the Via Sacra, which linked the Piazza del Campidoglio and the Colosseum and was the main artery of the city.
There are other very interesting monuments and everyone will like a different one but everyone will surely be captivated.
By the way, try to bring water, especially if you visit in summer.
What to see on the Palatine
The Palatine is one of the famous seven hills on which Rome was built and is located next to the Roman Forum.
According to legend, on this mountain was the cave where Romulus and Remus were suckled by the she-wolf.
The visit to the Palatine can be done much faster than the Roman Forum because although it also has a large area, its points of interest are smaller.
Among these points of interest that we must not miss on the Palatine we have the Domus Flavia, a palace built in 81 BC to be an official residence, the Houses of Livia and Augustus, where we can see beautiful mosaics, or the Hippodrome of Domitian.
In the center of the hill we can find the Palatine Museum, which is also quite interesting. And above all, the most remarkable of the Palatine are the views we have of the Roman Forum.
What to visit near the Roman Forum and the Palatine
Located at one end of the Roman Forum, the Trajan’s Market and Imperial Forums is actually an extension of it.
The Trajan Market is the first covered shopping center in history.
It had 6 floors and capacity for 150 commercial premises and inside it we can find the Museum of the Imperial Forums where, through videos and models, you will be able to learn about the commercial life of Rome.
A little further away is Circo Massimo. Currently it is not of much interest since practically everything is buried under the large esplanade that suggests what was once a stadium with a capacity for 300,000 spectators.
Races, equestrian exhibitions or simulated battles were held there. At that time, betting already existed and it was one of the great amusements of the Romans.
You can find more information on the official page of the Roman Forum and the Palatine.