Ancient Rome Walking Guide: The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are the beating heart of ancient Rome — the place where the Republic was born, where emperors lived and where 2,800 years of history are compressed into a single archaeological site. This walking guide takes you through it step by step.

• BEFORE YOU START: PRACTICAL INFORMATION
• The Forum, Palatine Hill and Colosseum share a combined ticket — book online to skip the queue
• The site opens at 9:00 AM; arrive early to beat the crowds and the heat
• Allow 2–2.5 hours for the Forum and Palatine Hill combined
• Wear comfortable shoes — the ground is uneven ancient stone throughout
• Bring water — there are limited facilities inside the site
• A guided tour or audio guide is strongly recommended — without context, the ruins can be hard to interpret

ENTERING THE FORUM: THE VIA SACRA Enter the Forum from the main entrance on Via Sacra, near the Arch of Titus. The Via Sacra — Sacred Way — was the main street of ancient Rome, running from the Colosseum through the Forum to the Capitoline Hill. Triumphal processions, religious ceremonies and the daily life of the Republic all took place along this road.

The Arch of Titus, just inside the entrance, was built in 82 AD to commemorate the Emperor Titus's sack of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The reliefs inside the arch show Roman soldiers carrying the Menorah and other treasures from the Temple of Jerusalem — one of the most historically significant images in Rome.

THE TEMPLE OF VESTA AND THE HOUSE OF THE VESTALS Walking west along the Via Sacra, you reach the circular Temple of Vesta — one of Rome's oldest and most sacred sites. The Vestal Virgins maintained the eternal flame here for over a thousand years; if the flame went out, it was considered a catastrophic omen for Rome.

Behind the temple is the House of the Vestals — a large courtyard surrounded by the remains of the Vestals' living quarters. The courtyard still contains several of the original statues of the Vestal Virgins, their names inscribed on the bases. It's one of the most evocative spaces in the Forum.

WHO WERE THE VESTAL VIRGINS? The Vestals were six priestesses chosen from noble Roman families between the ages of 6 and 10. They served for 30 years, maintaining the sacred flame and performing religious rituals. In return they received extraordinary privileges — the right to own property, to free condemned prisoners and to be buried within the city walls. Breaking their vow of chastity was punishable by being buried alive.

THE TEMPLE OF JULIUS CAESAR A short walk from the Temple of Vesta brings you to the Temple of the Deified Julius Caesar, built by Augustus on the spot where Caesar's body was cremated after his assassination in 44 BC. The altar marks the exact location of the funeral pyre. Romans still leave flowers here — a tradition that has continued, in various forms, for over 2,000 years.

THE ROSTRA AND THE ARCH OF SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS The Rostra was the speaker's platform of the Roman Republic — the place where politicians addressed the people of Rome. It takes its name from the bronze prows of captured enemy ships that decorated it. Mark Antony delivered his funeral oration for Julius Caesar from this platform.

Behind the Rostra stands the Arch of Septimius Severus, built in 203 AD to celebrate the Emperor's military victories in Parthia. At 23 metres high, it dominates the western end of the Forum. The detailed reliefs show scenes from the Parthian campaigns with remarkable clarity.

THE CURIA — THE SENATE HOUSE The Curia Julia is one of the best-preserved buildings in the Forum — its brick walls and roof are largely original, having been converted into a church in the 7th century. This is where the Roman Senate met for centuries. The interior still contains the original marble floor and the stepped platforms where senators sat.

Standing inside the Curia, it's easy to imagine the debates that shaped the ancient world — the declaration of war against Carthage, the assassination of Caesar, the fall of the Republic.

CLIMBING THE PALATINE HILL From the Forum, climb the ramp to the Palatine Hill — the most central of Rome's seven hills and the site of the city's earliest settlement. According to tradition, Romulus founded Rome here in 753 BC. By the Imperial period, the entire hill had been taken over by the palaces of the emperors — the word "palace" derives from Palatium, the Latin name for the hill.

The remains of the Palace of Domitian — the largest palace complex in the ancient world — cover most of the hill. The scale is extraordinary: the audience hall alone was 30 metres high. The Farnese Gardens, laid out in the 16th century over part of the palace, offer shade and one of the best views over the Forum below.

THE VIEW FROM THE PALATINE The northern edge of the Palatine Hill offers the best view of the Roman Forum — looking down over the columns, arches and temples spread out below, with the Capitoline Hill and the Vittoriano monument beyond. This is the view that has inspired artists, writers and travellers for centuries. Take your time here.

To the south, the view takes in the Circus Maximus — the ancient chariot-racing track that held 250,000 spectators. The track itself is now a public park, but the shape of the ancient circuit is clearly visible from above.

ENDING AT THE COLOSSEUM Descend from the Palatine Hill via the exit near the Arch of Constantine — the triumphal arch built in 315 AD to celebrate Constantine's victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. The Colosseum is directly ahead. If you haven't visited it yet, your combined ticket covers entry. If you've already been, the view of the Colosseum from the Arch of Constantine — framed by the arch itself — is one of the great photographs of Rome.