Fori Imperiali (Imperial Forums), Rome

The Imperial Forums is an extraordinary architectural complex that is central to understanding the grandeur of the Roman Empire. It represents a series of public squares, constructed over a period of about 150 years, that served as the political, religious, and social heart of ancient Rome.

The Imperial Forums consists of a series of monumental forums, or public squares, that were constructed by various Roman emperors from the end of the 1st century BC to the beginning of the 2nd century AD. These include the Forum of Caesar, the Forum of Augustus, the Transitorium of Nero, the Forum of Vespasian (also known as the Temple of Peace), the Forum of Nerva, and the most grandiose of all, the Forum of Trajan.

Each forum was designed to both serve practical needs such as public administration, justice, and commerce, as well as to provide a magnificent setting for the emperors to display their power and prestige. The forums were adorned with grand temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches, and embellished with statues and monuments that glorified the emperors and their deeds.

The Imperial Forums is an archaeological treasure trove, offering a wealth of insights into the politics, religion, and societal structures of the ancient Roman world. Even in their ruined state, the scale and complexity of the buildings and structures are awe-inspiring.

During the 1930s, Mussolini restored the Imperial Forums in an effort to evoke and emulate the past glories of Ancient Rome. He also built a road crossing through the site, supposedly in a bid to make the Colosseum visible from his office window.

Today, the Imperial Forums is a significant archaeological site, attracting tourists and scholars from around the world. Although only a fraction of the original structures remains, the ruins of the Imperial Forums still convey the scale and grandeur of the ancient city.

Why You Should Visit:
Lined with remnants of the once magnificent ancient buildings, the last few years the avenue has been made traffic-free, so walking on it, with just a little imagination, will give one a pretty good sense of Ancient Rome's grandeur and magnitude.