From
Metro Colosseo,
cross the busy Dei Fori Imperiali and walk the 200 metres to
the entrance to the Roman Forum.
This is the beginning of
[1] Via
Sacra
(Sacred Road), the main ancient street of Rome
leading to Capitoline Hill.
On your right is the
[2]
Temple
of Venus and Rome, the largest and most splendid of Rome's
temples. The road then passes under the
[3] Arch of
Titus commemorating the capture by Titus of Jerusalem in 70 AD..
The nearby
[4] Antiquarium
Forense is a mall museum exhibiting finds from the Forum.
The huge
[5] Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine is up the path in
front of the museum and on your left. This was the largest building
in the Forum as well as the last of the Roman basilicas to be built
in the Forum.
Proceed downhill through the trees to the
[6] Temple
of Romulus (attached to the church of Saints Cosmas and Damian)
and built well into the Roman Empire, around 312 AD. A few metres
further along are the ten tall columns of the
[7] Temple
of Antoninus and Faustina.
Cross now to the small white circular
[8] Temple
of Vesta where six virgin handmaidens were on hand to ensure
that the sacred fire inside was never extinguished.
Behind the temple are the two pools attached to the
[9] House
of the Vestal Virgins the residence for the vestal virgins who
served at the Temple. Further into the Forum, three pillars still
remain from the
[10] Temple
of Castor and Pollux who were said to have appeared around 500 BC
as two horseman to aid the Romans in their war against the Etruscans.
Now walk back across the Forum's main square along via sacra to
the
[11] Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. Next door are the
remains of the
Basilica Aemelia the largest and last surviving basilica
of the Roman Republic.
Continuing the walk - on your right is the reconstructed
[12] Curia, or Senate. This underwent extensive renovation in
the 1930s.
Proceed up the ramp under the
[13] Arch of
Septimius Severus. Originally, this arch was surmounted with a
statue of Severus and his sons riding in a chariot drawn by six
horses.
On your left is the raised brick area known as
[14] The
Rostra, the platform on which Roman orators addressed their
public. Again, this underwent restoration in the early 20th century.
Immediately behind the Rostra are the eight remaining columns from
the
[15] Temple
of Saturn. The original monument to the agricultural deity Saturn
is believed to have been built during the last years of the 5th
century BC and is one of the oldest sacred places in Rome.
If you choose to continue to the
Musei Capitolini, proceed up the stairs to
[16]
Capitoline Hill. Musei Capitolini are actually located
in three
palazzi surrounding the Piazza del Campidoglio. You
may need to return another day to view the extensive range of
exhibits on display.