Mercati di Traiano Museo dei Fori Imperiali — Attraction in Rome

The Museum of the Imperial Fora, in the Trajan's Markets, is topographically and conceptually linked to the impressive urban system of the Imperial Fora: of Caesar (46 BC), of Augustus (2 BC), of the Temple of Peace (75 AD), of Nerva (97 AD) ) and of Trajan (112 and 113 AD).The area was to house warehouses, shops, and offices of the imperial administration and serve other commercial and administrative purposes. This monumental complex has buildings rising on several levels, on the slopes of the Quirinale Hill and on a semi-circular, towards the Trajan's Forum.The monument, called Trajan's Market on the occasion of the rediscovery between 1926 and 1934, was a multifunctional center with administrative activities at the service of the Trajan's Forum, built in the same period. It on 6 levels and is divided into several buildings separated by streets along the slopes of the Quirinal hill, which it supports with the Great Hemicycle. Following the occupations and transformations over time, the area underwent state-of-the-art conservation and structural restoration work between 2005 and 2007.Inaugurated in the Autumn of 2007, the Musum of the Imperial Fora constitutes the first museum of ancient architecture and exhibits recompositions of scores of the architectural and sculptural decoration of the Fora, obtained with original fragments, casts, and modular additions in stone, according to the museographic choice of reversibility. This finds return the “perception” of the volumes and richness of the Fora and of the figurative programs, both tools of imperial propaganda.The Museum occupies the buildings of the Great Hall and the Central Body and includes the Great Hemicycle with the section of the Trajan's Forum. The exhibits are presented according to a mixed communication system with traditional panels, multimedia technologies, and interactive installations, for an original approach to visiting the museum. The exhibition itinerary starts in the Great Hall with the introduction into the Forum area and their representation through the most important finds. The visits begin in the Great Hall, with an introduction to the area of ​​the Forums, and with the representations of the various Forums, illustrating the main finds recovered from each. On the upper level, are the sections of the Forum of Caesar and of the Memory of the Ancient One and, in the Central Body, of the Forum of Augustus, the model adopted in the...

Ticket Information: Trajan’s Markets and the Museo dei Fori Imperiali are open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-7pm. Last entry an hour before closing. Closed Dec 25, Jan 1, May 1. Entry costs €11 adults, €9 concessions.

about trajan’s markets

The site of Trajan’s Markets, located in the Forum of Trajan in Rome, is one of the best preserved elements of the ancient city to have survived, and is an oft-overlooked gem in the heart of the Eternal City.

The impressive semi-circular remains of this grand structure, built between 100 and 110 AD and designed by Apollodorus of Damascus, are very much still intact. Once thought by historians to have been an ancient Roman shopping centre, more recent evidence has pointed to Trajan’s Markets also having been a centre of administration and finance.

Today, not only is the site of Trajan’s Markets open to explore, but it also houses the Museo dei Fori Imperiali. Opened in 2007, this museum was the result of several years of careful restoration and is dedicated to showcasing and recreating the Imperial Forums, which were the beating heart of ancient Rome for hundreds of years.

The museum takes the visitor through an exhibit of each individual forum based on the most important finds discovered within it. This journey through ancient Rome includes areas devoted to the forums of Caesar and Augustus, Nerva and Trajan as well as the Templum Pacis or Forum of Vespasian. As well as exhibiting original artefacts found in the individual forums, there are also descriptive panels and multimedia displays in each section.

However, the true highlight of a visit to this site is the chance to explore the structure itself. Remaining extremely well preserved, the chance to wander through Trajan’s Markets and onto Trajan’s Forum is one not to miss. You can explore the Via Biberatica, which was the main high street, as well as strolling the ancient corridors, offices and hallways and entering the shops and...

Top 5 Site To Visit In Rome

No kidding. At the end, I'll specify which well-known site I'd recommend skipping in favor of Trajan’s Market & Museum of the Imperial Fora.

The so-called market complex is vast, multi-level, full of passageways and staircases...just walking through it is like being a kid again and being an archaeologist--"where does this go?" and "how do I get over there or down there or up there?" and "what's in this room?"

The museum is as inspiring and well-presented as that of the Capitoline Museums, though with fewer items. It's a great archaeological treasure chest of finds and information about the five Imperial Fora and the Market of Trajan, with rooms laid out starting with an overview of the Fora and then dedicated rooms to a specific Forum or the Market itself.

As with the Capitoline Museums, the A/V guide is world-class and worth the extra cost. I highly recommend visitors avail themselves of the option. It's easy to use, is in multiple languages, is chock-a-block with interesting information about the museum and its holdings, provides choices of curated visits of different lengths and interests, and is physically comfortable to sling across your body. (Also, if like me you have or had a crush on Jeremy Irons and/or just love listening to his resonant voice, you can listen to him throughout your visit as he provides the voice for Emperor Trajan in the English narration.)

So skip the Colosseum: it's jam-packed with people and its outside is far more appealing and provides better photos than its inside.

Visit instead Mercati di Traiano & Museo dei...