The Forum of Trajan, Trajan’s Markets & Trajan’s Column in Rome

Nestled in the heart of Rome’s ancient quarter, the Forum of Trajan (Forum Traiani)—home to the renowned Trajan’s Markets and Trajan’s Column—stands as the largest and best-preserved of the Imperial Forums.

Follow the guide!

Trajan’s Forum

A Brief History of the Imperial Forums (Fori Imperiali)

By the 1^st century A.D., the Roman Forum had become somewhat cramped for the city’s growing population. Political and judicial activities had even been relocated to the Palatine Hill.

To resolve this, the emperors—starting with Julius Caesar, followed by Augustus, Vespasian, Domitian, and Trajan—decided to build new forums.

The collective Imperial Forums spanned a massive area, stretching about half a kilometer in length and 300 meters wide.

Trajan’s Forum

During Antiquity

Built between 106 and 113 A.D. with the spoils from the Dacian Wars, Trajan’s Forum commemorates the emperor’s victories over the Dacians.

Trajan’s Forum was the largest and most ambitious of the Imperial Forums. Constructing it was a monumental task, as Trajan and his architect, Apollodorus of Damascus, had to level a large area between the Capitoline and Quirinal hills.

In its heyday, Trajan’s Forum featured a central plaza surrounded by numerous buildings, including:

• The Basilica Ulpia (Ulpian Basilica)
• Trajan’s Column
• Two libraries—one for Greek works, the other for Latin
• The Temple of the Deified Trajan, built by Emperor Hadrian
• Trajan’s Markets

The Middle Ages

While Trajan’s Forum remained largely intact until the end of antiquity, the Middle Ages saw its downfall. An earthquake in 801 caused many buildings to collapse,

and over time, the forum’s materials were plundered for other constructions. Some buildings even encroached upon the ancient site, and one church repurposed Trajan’s Column as a bell tower!

Beyond the Middle Ages

Although much of Trajan’s Forum has disappeared, the Column of Trajan remains remarkably well-preserved, captivating generations of artists and leaders, from Raphael to Napoleon III.

Likewise, Trajan’s Markets have survived in relatively good condition, while the ruins of the Basilica Ulpia can still be identified today.

Visiting Trajan’s Forum, Trajan’s Market and Trajan’s Column

Measuring 300 meters long and 185 meters wide, Trajan’s Forum is the largest of the Imperial Forums. It also broke new ground by centering around a civil basilica—the Basilica Ulpia—rather than a religious temple.

While the forum was once lavishly decorated with marble, stucco, and paintings, it is now much more sparse.

The main structures that survive today are Trajan’s Column, Trajan’s Markets, and remnants of the Basilica Ulpia.

The Basilica Ulpia

If a basilica on a Roman forum seems unusual, it’s because in ancient Rome, a basilica was a public building for commercial, judicial, or financial purposes, not a religious one.

The Basilica Ulpia may have also housed the Atrium Libertatis, where ceremonies for freeing slaves were held.

Unfortunately, little remains of this once-grand structure apart from fragments of columns, cornices, and reliefs.

Trajan’s Column

Trajan’s Column is the most famous and best-preserved monument from the forum.

Height

Standing nearly 40 meters tall, this massive marble column from Carrara likely served to indicate the height of the hill that was excavated to make way for the forum.

Relief

The column’s fame stems from its 200-meter-long spiral relief that chronicles Trajan’s campaigns in Dacia. Divided into 155 scenes and featuring over 2,500 figures (with Trajan appearing 59 times), the relief provides a wealth of information about early 2^nd-century Roman customs.

The spiral gives the illusion of uniform proportions, but the scenes at the top are actually larger to maintain visual balance from the ground.

Saint Peter Statue

Originally topped with a bronze statue of Trajan, the column has been crowned with a statue of Saint Peter since the 16^th century, placed there at the behest of Pope Sixtus V.

Interior

Inside the column is a spiral staircase with 185 steps leading to the top. Its base once held the urns containing Trajan’s and his wife Plotina’s ashes (now missing).

Trajan’s Markets

Built in terraced steps, Trajan’s Markets were originally designed to reinforce the Quirinal Hill, which had been excavated to accommodate the forum.

This vast complex, considered by some to be the world’s first shopping mall, housed up to 150 shops and administrative offices.

Today, the markets host the Museum of the Imperial Forums, which allows visitors to explore the ancient ruins and view reconstructions and artifacts from the various forums.

Practical Information

Location

Trajan’s Forum is located on Via dei Fori Imperiali, just a short walk from the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

The closest metro stops are Vittorio Emanuele (Line A) and Colosseo (Line B), and numerous buses stop at Piazza Venezia, only 300 meters away.

Visiting Trajan’s Forum Trajan’s Market

While you can enter Trajan’s Markets (which house the Museum of the Imperial Forums), the rest of Trajan’s Forum is not open to the public. You can still admire it from the outside, along with Trajan’s Column.

The Museum of the Imperial Forums is open daily from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, with the last entry at 6:30 PM. Tickets are €13 for adults and €9.50 for concessions. A video guide (available in several languages) is offered for €7.

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Credits
Ade Russell | Kyle Sorkness | Thomas Hackle | Su-Lin