Point of interest
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
in Rome, Italy
The political and religious heart of ancient Rome survives as a sprawling field of ruins right beside the Colosseum.
Where it is
The Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill lie in the valley and on the hill between the Colosseum and the Capitol, with entrances on Via dei Fori Imperiali and Via di San Gregorio, among others.
Address: Via di San Teodoro, 00184 Rome
What it is
You wander among temples, triumphal arches, the Senate house and palace ruins, and the Palatine offers a sweeping view over the Forum. The area is included in the Colosseum ticket; sturdy shoes, water and sun protection are advisable, as it is large and largely without shade.
History
The Roman Forum was for centuries the political, religious and commercial heart of the Roman Republic and Empire. The Palatine is, by tradition, the hill on which Rome was founded, and it later held the imperial palaces. Both areas belong to the same archaeological park as the Colosseum.