The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill - A Journey to the Source of Roman Imperial Power

After our impressive visit to the Colosseum, we continued to the nearby archaeological sites - the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. These two sites, which together form a single archaeological area, are the source of power of the Roman Empire.

The Roman Forum is the beating heart of ancient Rome - the central square that served as the stage for all the important events of the empire: political speeches, criminal trials, military processions, and gladiatorial battles. It was the commercial, legal, and religious center of Rome, and the place where emperors planned their conquest of the world.

In the Roman Forum, you can see impressive remains of historic buildings: the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of the deified Julius Caesar, the Mamertine Prison, the Curia (Senate house), the Temple of Saturn, and the Temple of Vesta. Every stone here tells a story of power, politics, and intrigue.

Palatine Hill, the highest of Rome's seven hills, is the mythological place where the city was founded. According to Roman legend, this is where the twins Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf who raised them, and where the adult Romulus chose to establish the city of Rome. During the imperial period, the hill became the aristocratic neighborhood where emperors built their magnificent palaces.

On Palatine Hill, you'll find the remains of magnificent imperial palaces. Here, Augustus built his first palace, and Domitian expanded the complex into an enormous compound including swimming pools, saunas, fountains, a gymnasium, and even a sports stadium. The view from the hill is stunning - you can see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and all of Rome stretching out at your feet.

The Arch of Titus - At the site, you'll also find the Arch of Titus, built in 81 CE to commemorate the victory over the Jews and the conquest of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The arch's reliefs display scenes from the triumphal procession, including the carrying of temple vessels that Titus brought from Jerusalem, among them the seven-branched menorah. This is one of the earliest visual records of the temple vessels. The arch itself became a symbol of the Jewish diaspora, and today it also serves as an important memorial site for Jewish history.

You can be impressed by the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill even without entering the site. The view from outside is impressive and definitely worth seeing. But regarding entry, it depends on what interests you:

If you're a history and archaeology enthusiast, it's definitely a must! This place is a huge open museum with impressive remains of temples, imperial palaces, and ancient public buildings.

If the weather is pleasant, don't hesitate, because it's a very beautiful walk. The view from Palatine Hill is amazing, and walking among the ruins is fascinating.

If you're visiting on a hot day like we were, it's questionable. We still enjoyed it, and in retrospect, we would still enter, but it's better to prepare well. Looking back, I would have paid more attention to studying a map and deciding in advance where to enter and where to exit for the continuation of our tour in Rome. We walked back and forth more than we needed to.

Important Tips

1. The Colosseum ticket usually includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, and is valid for 24-48 hours (depending on the ticket type). There's also an option to purchase a separate ticket from the Colosseum.

2. Wear comfortable shoes - there's a lot of walking on uneven surfaces

3. Bring a hat and sunscreen - shade is limited at the site

4. Plan at least 3-4 hours for visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

5. Consider entering with an organized group - you skip the lines, and the visit will be more focused. It's difficult to tour there alone without prior knowledge.