Trajan Forum — Attraction in Rome

Trajan's Forum (Latin: Forum Traiani; Italian: Foro di Traiano) was the last of the Imperial fora to be constructed in ancient Rome. The architect Apollodorus of Damascus oversaw its construction.

This forum was built on the order of the emperor Trajan with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia, which ended in 106.The construction began between 105 and 107; according to the Fasti Ostienses the Forum was inaugurated in 112. Trajan's Column was erected and then inaugurated in 113.

To build this monumental complex, extensive excavations were required: workers eliminated a ridge connecting the Quirinal and Capitoline (Campidoglio) Hills. Over 300,000 cubic meters of soil and rock were excavated and dumped outside the Porta Collina.

It is possible that the excavations were initiated under Emperor Domitian, while the project of the Forum was completely attributed to the architect Apollodorus of Damascus, who also accompanied Emperor Trajan in the Dacian campaign.

During the time of the construction, several other projects took place: the construction of the Market of Trajan, the renovation of Caesar's Forum (where the Basilica Argentaria was built) and the Temple of Venus Genetrix.

The Forum consisted of a sequence of open and enclosed spaces, beginning with the vast portico-lined piazza measuring 300 metres (980 feet) long and 185 metres (607 feet) wide, with exedrae on two sides. The main entrance was at the south end of the piazza, through a triumphal arch at the center commemorating the Dacian Wars, decorated with friezes and statues of Dacian prisoners. The arch was flanked by tall walls built from blocks of Peperino tuff clad entirely in marble, which enclosed the Forum on three sides.[5]

The tuff walls which enclosed the piazza to the west and east featured exedrae; outside the exedrae, separated by streets, were markets of concentric shape. The three-story eastern market, known as Trajan's Market, buttressed the excavated edge of the Quirinal Hill. The open space of the Forum measured about 300 feet by 380 feet, and was paved entirely in Carrara marble.Via a doorway in the far east wall of the Forum, one gained entry to an open courtyard with a portico, which communicated in turn with the adjacent Forum...

The Foro di Traiano (Trajan’s Forum) is the largest and most impressive of the Imperial Forums in Rome, built by Emperor Trajan between 107 and 113 AD to commemorate his victory in the Dacian Wars. Designed by the famous architect Apollodorus of Damascus, it served as a political, commercial, and administrative center, showcasing the wealth and power of Trajan’s reign.

Key Features:

Architectural Layout: • Size: The forum covered an area of approximately 300 by 185 meters (984 by 607 feet). • Entrance: A monumental triumphal arch, decorated with statues of Trajan and victory symbols, served as the main entrance. • Central Square: A large open plaza surrounded by colonnades, where statues of Trajan and other military figures were displayed.

Key Structures: • Basilica Ulpia: Located at the heart of the forum, it was used for legal proceedings, public assemblies, and administrative tasks. • Trajan’s Column: A commemorative column adorned with spiraling reliefs depicting Trajan’s victories in the Dacian Wars. • Libraries: Two libraries (one for Latin texts and one for Greek texts) flanked the column, symbolizing the forum as a center of knowledge. • Temple of Divine Trajan: Built after Trajan’s death, this temple honored the emperor and his wife, Plotina.

Trajan’s Market: • A semicircular complex of multi-level shops and offices located adjacent to the forum. It is considered one of the world’s earliest examples of a shopping mall.

Purpose and Significance: • Commemoration: Celebrated Trajan’s military triumphs and reinforced his image as a successful and benevolent ruler. • Public Space: Provided a hub for political, economic, and cultural activities in ancient Rome. • Architectural Innovation: Showcased advanced Roman engineering and urban planning.

Although much of the Foro di Traiano is in ruins today, its remains continue to inspire awe and serve as a testament to the grandeur of ancient Roman...

This was our 2nd trip to the Forum & it was to see the newly uncovered ruins of the Fora of Augustus & Trajan and related ruins opposite the Forum of Caesar west of the main road above. The new area is historically called the Alessandrino Quarter, and recently it's yielded many large finds that demonstrate how much further these forums reached than we previously knew. (I'll include pics, since there are too many things to describe.)

Access to this portion is through a tunnel & raised walkways under the Via Dei Fori Imperiali from the Forum side that we all know. Previously we could all see some of this from street level above - but now you're right down in it & can touch some of it as you pass by. (The new views of the flooring are impressive alone.) We bought the "Forum Pass Super Pren" for about 17 Euros each, so we could have the most access - which did work out since we could see the 'Super Sites' for free. Research these tickets online; the pickup site was at the Touristation in Piazza Venezia so that made it...