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ROMAN FORUM AND AROUND
Introduction
For almost 1000 years, the Roman Forum was the very heart of the political and commercial life of the city and an Empire that covered a large part of Europe,
Northern Africa and the Middle East. The Forum housed the Senate, shops, markets, banks and many religious buildings. The area was the domain of traders,
lawyers, politicans and beggars. Throughout time, several Roman Emperors extended the forum and enriched it with ever more spectacular constructions.
Today, the Forum is an area of ruins and tourists. But thanks to its beauty, its location and the extreme density of so much history and glory on such a
small surface it is still regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites of the world. On top of that, the Forum is surrounded by some of Rome's greatest monuments, such as the Colosseum,
the Capitol and the Palatine Hill. For tourists it is a great place to enjoy the charm and past glory of an area that once was the Roman Empire's powerhouse. To read more about the Forum, click here.
View over the Roman Forum
...more pictures of the Roman Forum...
The Colosseum
Just southeast of the Forum is the largest existing building of antiquity and the most famous symbol of Rome, the Colosseum. Originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre, its construction was started by the Flavian Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD, and completed in 82.
The venue could easily receive more than 50.000 spectators who came to look at bloody fights with gladiators and wild animals. After the fall of the Roman empire, the building crumbled slowly. Only from the 19th century initiatives to maintain and restore the building were gradually taken.
And this is important for all of us, because the legend says that Rome will stand as long as the Colosseum stands. If the Colosseum falls, then so will Rome and with it, the rest of the world... Click here for more on the Colosseum.
The Colosseum
...more pictures of the Colosseum...
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