3 hours - walking tour

Formerly a marshy and unhealthy valley, the Roman Forum became the core of Rome suitable for meeting other people, concluding transactions, celebrating the triumph of emperors and generals and other important events. Throughout the centuries kings first, then senators and finally emperors rivaled one another to build imposing and richly decorated buildings around it, turning this small square into the swarming center of the Eternal City. The tour includes the visit of the Curia, the ancient Roman Senate, the Basilicas, used by the Romans as indoor meeting places and court houses, then the residence of the Vestal Virgins, the temple built on the site of Julius Cesar's cremation, the temple dedicated by Antoninus to his wife Faustina and the triumphal arch of the emperor Septimius Severus.

The Palatine Hill dominates the Forum on its NW side and offers an insight into the greatness of Rome, from the "huts of Romulus" to the huge Imperial Palace whose ruins - once gleaming of polychrome inlaid works of precious marbles - still scatter on a large area.

The Colosseum was built by the Flavian dynasty from around 72 AD to 90 AD in order to stage deadly gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights to satisfy the increasing demand of the Roman people for large-scale free entertainment. Despite widely pillaged, the Colosseum is the most impressive architectural achievements surviving from Ancient Rome.

For a complete overview of the ancient Rome this tour can be booked together with “Ancient Rome: the time for glory” to make a full day visit.

On demand it is possible to extend it an extra hour and visit the Basilica of St Clement to discover part of the undergrounds of Rome.