A trip to Rome just wouldn’t be complete without a historical excursion or two, but how does one even begin to choose a starting point? With a glorious history spanning over 2800 years, the Eternal City boasts several scintillating ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and historic landmarks.
Best Historical Sites in Rome
Rome remains one of the world’s most striking and significant concentrations of ancient remains making it a goldmine for architecture connoisseurs, art lovers, and archaeologists.
Not only are these Rome historical sites worth visiting, but they also offer a glimpse into Rome’s storied past. However, you don’t necessarily have to be a history buff to appreciate the immense beauty and significance of the best Ancient Rome landmarks.
Some of these ancient sites are world-famous but there are also a few that are often overlooked by tourists and can thus be classified as hidden gems in Rome.
Roman Forum
The best place to begin a tour of ancient sites in Rome is at the Roman Forum. Although it consists mostly of evocative ruins scattered haphazardly around a sun-baked terrain, the Forum represents almost a millennium of Roman power during the glory days of Ancient Rome.
The Roman Forum was originally just a marshy burial ground until it was developed in the 7th century BC, growing over time to become the social, political, and commercial hub of the Roman Empire.
Some of the events that took place there included triumphal celebrations, gladiatorial contests, elections, public speeches, religious ceremonies, business dealings, and more.
The ruins of some of the most significant landmarks in the Roman Forum, such as the Temple of Saturn, Arch of Septimius Severus, and the Basilica of Maxentius, are still easily identifiable, while other buildings have been reduced to evocative fragments.
The Roman Forum is perhaps the best place to experience Ancient Rome, as it’s one of the few places in the modern metropolis where you’re surrounded by antiquity on all sides. Conjuring up your imagination, be transported back in time, and see the city through the eyes of the Ancient Romans.
Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and is located close to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It is one of the most significant historical sites in Rome and is considered to be the mythical birthplace of the Eternal City.
According to legend, the twins Romulus and Remus were brought up here by a she-wolf in a cave. After a violent disagreement between the two, Romulus killed Remus on the Palatine Hill before founding Rome here in 753 BC.
Arch of Constantine
Situated between the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, the majestic Arch of Constantine is the last great monument of Imperial Rome. It was erected in AD 315 to commemorate Emperor Constantine’s victory over his co-emperor Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge in AD 312.
Standing at 21 meters in height and 26 meters in width, the Arch of Constantine is the largest of the three surviving ancient triumphal arches in Rome. It is notable for its elaborate medallions, reliefs, and statues, many of which were plundered from various earlier-period structures.
Colosseum
Ahh, the Colosseum…is there a more renowned Italian monument in the world than this monumental amphitheater? Although it is a mere shell of its former self, the Colosseum remains ancient Rome’s greatest architectural legacy and the city’s defining image.
The construction of the Colosseum was ordered by Emperor Vespasian in AD 72 and the elliptical bowl was inaugurated in AD 80 by his son Titus.
The vast amphitheater measured 190 meters long and 156 meters wide, it had 80 entrances and could seat between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. The Colosseum still awes onlookers today with its grandeur and might.
Area Sacra di Largo Argentina
The Area Sacra di Largo Argentina – one of Rome’s most fascinating historical sites can be found in the middle of Largo di Torre Argentina square, which is usually frantic with traffic.
Imperial Fora
The Imperial Fora were built as a means to ease the burden on the Roman Forum and accommodate the needs of Rome’s growing population. Their ruins give only a hint of what must have been undeniably majestic edifices.
Trajan’s Column
The 40-meter high column is covered top to bottom with bas-reliefs commemorating the highlights of the Dacian campaigns. The decorative frieze winds around the column 25 times and is 190 meters long.
The statue topping the elegant marble column is of St. Peter, commissioned by Pope Sixtus in 1587 to replace what was once a statue of Trajan. When Trajan died in AD 117 his ashes were kept in a golden urn in a chamber at the column’s base but are no longer here.
Trajan’s Market
Built into the side of the Quirinal Hill that had been quarried to build the Forum, Trajan’s Market is a fine example of Roman urban architecture and was originally considered among the wonders of the Classical world.
Trajan’s Market was an ancient Roman equivalent of a multipurpose commercial centre, unequalled at that time, with a covered market containing shops, taverns, depots, a residential apartment block, and government offices.
Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus is one of the historical sites in Rome you shouldn’t miss. Measuring 621 meters in length and 118 meters in width, this distinctive U-shaped structure with seats on three sides was once ancient Rome’s largest stadium.
Theatre of Marcellus
Found in the southern area of the Campo Marzio, between the Tiber River and the Capitoline Hill, the Theatre of Marcellus was the largest and most important theatre in Ancient Rome, with space for around 20,000 spectators.
CONCLUSION
In the end I would like to conclude this article by saying that Ancient buildings and monuments lie in wait around every corner, offering a fascinating insight into the city’s storied past. At a minimum, make sure to see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon and the Vatican.
