Trajan's Markets & Imperial Forums Private Tour with Special Pass & PhD Guide

Explore the archaeological ruins of Trajan’s Market (Mercati di Traiano) in the Imperial Fora in Rome, built by Julius Caesar and his successors. Said to be the first version of a modern-day shopping centre, which contained an undercover market, small shops and apartments. The remains are remarkably well-preserved and are an incredible example of Roman urban planning.

Visit the perfectly intact, 29 meter tall Trajan's Column (Colonna Traiana) made of Carrara marble and built in honour of Roman Emperor Trajan's victory over Dacian (Romania). Marvel at the frieze wrapped around the column that features key historical narratives of the battles, and listen as your guide points out the main events and tells stories of them.

A Forum was the main center of a Roman city and it served as a public area for the people. The Forum of Trajan was the last and largest of the Imperial Forums that formed the political and governmental center of the Roman Empire. The complex consisted of an enormous basilica, two libraries, markets and a large temple. Walk around the ruins and see the incredible remains.

The Forum of Nerva was the fourth and the smallest of the Imperial Forums to be built. Learn how the project was conceived by the emperor Domitian but was completed by his successor Nerva in 97 AD, whose name it took. It was a narrow space lined by colonnades, as can still be seen in the Temple of Minerva. There were about 50 columns that originally made up the structure, but only two remain standing today.

The Forum of Augustus was a forum built by Rome’s first emperor Octavian Augustus, and houses the remains of the Temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger). Looking onto the area today, you see the remains of the Temple of Mars Ultor, the high podium and front steps, some bases of columns and three splendid Corinthian columns made of white marble.