Imperial Fora & Ancient Sites Near the Colosseum: Complete Guide

The Imperial Fora are a series of monumental public squares built by successive Roman emperors adjacent to the Republican Roman Forum. They include the forums of Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nerva, Vespasian, and Trajan — the largest and most impressive. Most are visible from Via dei Fori Imperiali; interior access to key sites is covered by the Forum Pass SUPER ticket.

Most visitors to the Colosseum follow the well-worn path: Colosseum → Roman Forum → Palatine Hill, and back to the hotel. But the ancient heart of Rome extends far beyond these three sites. Within a 10–15 minute walk lies a remarkable constellation of ancient monuments most tourists walk past without stopping — the Imperial Fora, the Ludus Magnus (the gladiatorial training school connected to the Colosseum by an underground tunnel), and the vast Circus Maximus, where Rome’s greatest chariot races took place.

This guide introduces each site, explains what you’ll see, and tells you which tickets you need — most are either free to view or covered by tickets you may already have.

Top Tickets

The General Entry ticket lets you explore at your own pace, while the Guided Tour adds an expert guide to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Want to stand on the arena floor? Go for the Guided Tour + Arena. For the full experience including the underground hypogeum, the Arena + Underground is the one to book.

The Imperial Fora

The Imperial Fora were built between 46 BC and 113 AD as Rome’s population outgrew the original Republican Forum. Each emperor constructed his own forum as an act of political legacy. Together they formed one of the ancient world’s most spectacular urban environments, stretching northwest of the Roman Forum along what is now Via dei Fori Imperiali.

Forum of Julius Caesar

The oldest of the Imperial Fora, begun by Julius Caesar in 54 BC and completed by Augustus in 29 BC, it introduced the concept of the imperial forum. Three columns of the Temple of Venus Genetrix still stand, visible from Via dei Fori Imperiali.

Forum of Augustus

Built to commemorate Augustus’s victory at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, dedicated in 2 BC. Its centrepiece was the grand Temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger), of which four columns survive to their full height. The Forum was enclosed by a massive firewall — still partly standing — protecting the marble complex from the Subura neighbourhood’s frequent fires.

Forum of Nerva

The narrow Forum of Nerva, completed in 97 AD, served as a connecting passageway between the Forum of Augustus and Vespasian’s Temple of Peace. Two Corinthian columns — nicknamed the ‘Colonnacce’ — are its most visible remains.

Temple of Peace (Forum of Vespasian)

Built by Vespasian to house spoils from the Jewish War, including the menorah from the Jerusalem Temple. Its massive hall was later incorporated into the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian, whose apse mosaic is one of Rome’s finest early Christian artworks.

Forum of Trajan — The Greatest of All

The Forum of Trajan, completed in 112 AD, was the largest and most magnificent of all the Imperial Fora. At its centre stands the 38-metre Trajan’s Column, a spiralling narrative relief depicting Roman campaigns against the Dacians. The forum also contained two libraries, a vast basilica, and the semicircular Trajan’s Markets — effectively the ancient world’s first shopping mall.

Trajan’s Column — one of antiquity’s greatest artistic achievements — survives in near-perfect condition. The 38-metre column is wrapped in a continuous spiral relief depicting over 2,500 figures in 155 scenes from the Dacian Wars. Emperor Trajan’s ashes were buried in the column’s base.

Adjacent to the Forum is the Mercati di Traiano (Trajan’s Markets) — a remarkable multi-storey commercial complex now housing the Museum of the Imperial Fora. This is the best place to understand the full extent of the Imperial Fora complex. See our guide to the Forum Pass SUPER for access details.

Ludus Magnus: The Gladiators’ Training School

The Ludus Magnus was the largest of Rome’s four gladiatorial training schools, built by Domitian and completed under Trajan around 100 AD. Directly east of the Colosseum, it was connected to the amphitheatre by an underground tunnel allowing gladiators to move directly from their barracks to the arena. Partial remains are visible from Via di San Giovanni in Laterano.

Of all the ancient sites surrounding the Colosseum, the Ludus Magnus is perhaps the most overlooked. This was where gladiators lived, trained, and ate before their bouts in the arena. The remains of a miniature oval practice arena are clearly visible from the street through iron railings on Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, approximately 200 metres east of the Colosseum.

Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus was Rome’s largest chariot-racing stadium, capable of holding 150,000 to 250,000 spectators at its peak. Built in the 6th century BC in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine Hills, it was the primary entertainment venue before the Colosseum was built. Today it is a public park; the outline of the ancient track is clearly visible.

At 621 metres long and 118 metres wide, the Circus Maximus was more than three times longer than the Colosseum. Today the site is a peaceful public park. The best view is from the Palatine Hill above — from the Hippodrome of Domitian terrace, you can look down into the valley and see the full extent of the ancient racing track. Entry to the park is free.

Mamertine Prison

A 10-minute walk northwest of the Colosseum, at the foot of the Capitoline Hill, the Mamertine Prison (Carcere Mamertino) is one of Rome’s most atmospheric ancient sites. This underground prison is where, according to Christian tradition, Saints Peter and Paul were held before their martyrdom. It requires a separate pre-booked ticket. See our dedicated guide to the Mamertine Prison for full details.

Suggested Itinerary

1. Morning (8:30–11:00 am): Colosseum — arrive at opening to beat crowds
2. 11:00 am–1:00 pm: Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (included in your ticket)
3. 1:00–2:00 pm: Lunch — see our guide to restaurants near the Colosseum
4. 2:00–3:30 pm: Walk Via dei Fori Imperiali; explore Imperial Fora exterior (free)
5. 3:30–4:00 pm: Detour to Ludus Magnus (visible from street, free)
6. 4:00–5:30 pm: Trajan’s Markets / Museum of the Imperial Fora (separate ticket)
7. 5:30–6:15 pm: Mamertine Prison (optional, pre-booked ticket)
8. Evening: Return to Piazza del Colosseo to view the illuminated Colosseum at night

For a pre-planned route tying all of these together, see our guide to recommended routes around the Colosseum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• Roman Forum — Tickets, What to See, and Visitor Tips
• Palatine Hill — Complete Visitor Guide
• Mamertine Prison — Rome’s Ancient Underground Prison
• Forum Pass SUPER — What It Includes and Is It Worth It?
• Arch of Constantine — The Triumphal Arch Next to the Colosseum
• Recommended Routes Around the Colosseum
• Colosseum History & Architecture