Visit Ancient Rome: Historical Sites and Ruins

Whether it is the impressive Colosseum or the splendor of Pantheon, be ready to be in awe with the beauty of these sites in your visit to Rome. The Roman Forum is one such place that hosted many dramatic scenes from history. The city of Rome is massive, and it can be quite overwhelming as you visit the historical sites in Rome. So, to know more about the obligatory attractions in Rome which are in a must-see list of many tourists over the years and make your vacation a blissful one. Some of the listed historical sites and ruins listed below hold a special place in the history of the Roman era.

Palatine Hill is located 40 meters above the Roman Forum and is one of the oldest historical sites in Rome. The upper-class people during the Republican period settled in Palatine Hill and constructed stunning palaces. The ruins of such imposing buildings are an amazing sight to watch at the Palatine Hill.

1.Domus Flavia is the heart of the palace in Palatine Hill, where the emperor spent a lot of time. The emperor hosted lavish dinners in its triclinium studded with Turkish marbles.

2.House of Livia is one of the best-preserved monuments in the palatine hill. House of Livia was constructed for Augustus's wife, Livia. Heading to this monument lets you a glimpse of mosaics and frescoes. Some of the finest architectural perspectives and geometric patterns decorate the walls of this palace.

3.House of Augustus holds the cultural heritage of the Palatine with beautifully preserved frescos on its wall.

3.Farnese Gardens, known as one of the most beautifully preserved botanical gardens in Europe, was designed on the ruins of the palace of emperor Tiberius.

4.The Palace of Domitian remained the residence of the great Roman Emperors for over five centuries. It resembles the appearance of the Roman circus and is a historical site in Rome.

5.The palatine museum is located just behind the Domus Flavia. This place houses many statues, frescos, mosaics, sculptures, and several other discoveries during the excavation of the Palatine hill.

Address: Palantine Hill, Piazza S, Maria Nova 53, 00186 Rome, Italy.

Timings: Open every day between 8.30 am to 6.30 pm. Closed on December 25th and January 1st.

The Roman Forum is a historical site in Rome that was once a political hub for the Romans. This place houses many temples such as Venus, Romulus, Vesta, Saturn, etc. and is located between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum. Apart from wonderful temples, the Roman Forum also houses places like:

1.Via Sacra was one of the main streets of Rome that connects the Piazza del Campidoglio and the world heritage Colosseum.

2.Art of Titus is located at the south-east of the Roman Forum was constructed to celebrate the victory of Titus over Jeruselum. A close look into the arch depicts the graphic representation from the battle.

3.Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine is a vast structure that served the purpose of a meeting hall for a large group of people. It was considered as the largest building in Rome.

4.The Curia is also known as the Senate House is the place where vital administrative decisions about the Roman Government was made.

This is a major historical site in Rome that is open every day from 8.30 am to 7 pm and is closed on 25th December and January 1st.

Address: Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Piazza Della Repubblica is a famous historical site in Rome, which is a semi-circular piazza in Rome. It is located next to the Termini Station it is one of the main squares of Rome. This square became extremely stunning after it was designed under the urban redevelopment of Rome after it became the capital of Italy. This square is surrounded by imposing building on one end and a seemingly demolished temple on the other side and a spectacular fountain at the center. Right at the center of the square is the Fontana Della Naiadi, an enormous fountain with a majestic four lion sculpture when it was constructed between 1870 and 1880. Later the four lions were replaced by the statues of nude Naiads, which were the subject of controversy during those days in this historical site in Rome. The beauty of this square makes it one of the prime points of interest in Rome. Just strolling through this magnificent square and enjoying its romantic fountain and mesmerizing buildings across is a treat for the eyes. Baths of Diocletian and Santa Maria Degli Angeli are other attractions close by this square, which you should not afford to miss out.

Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.

Timings: It is open throughout the year.

The Trajan's Column is known as Colonna Traianna in Italian; it commemorates the victory of emperor Trajan in the Dacian war. Trajan's Column is a triumph of Roman architecture built to represent the wars between the Romans and Dacians. This is a freestanding column renowned for its spiral bas relief and is a historical site in Rome. It is considered as one of the important points of interest in Rome for the tourists as it signifies a rich heritage of the Romans. The ashes of emperor Trajan were interred in the column's hollow base and was crowned by the statue of Trajan.

Address: Via Dei Fori Imperiali, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

Timings: Open every day.

We may be in awe for the present day's stadium that is built specifically for specific sports, but the spectacular structure of the Roman Colosseum makes us wonder about the futuristic architectural retreat of the Romans. The Roman Colosseum is also known as Flavian amphitheater is one of the major attractions of the Italian capital. Built mainly with travertine limestone, this is an imposing construction with a history of over 2000 years. This is a landmark place in Rome which attracts millions of tourists throughout the year and is known for the famous gladiator combats held during those days. After completion of this construction in the year 80 AD, under the rule of emperor Titus, this became the greatest amphitheater of Rome. It is a gigantic structure with a height of 57 meters that allowed over 50000 people to witness its spectacular events. The beauty of this historical site in Rome was susceptible to looting, earthquake, and world war two.

Timings: To facilitate the tourists, this historic structure is open every day between 8.30 am to 7 pm.

Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

This historical site in Rome has 135 gleaming steps from Piazza Di Spagna to Chiesa della Trinita dei Monti. This square holds its name to the Spanish Embassy to the Holy see. As one of the elegant squares of Rome, Piazza di Spagna has attracted artists, poets, painters, and scholars from the sixteenth century. As you stroll through the lane, you will find many restaurants, inns, and beautiful residential buildings. It's also a great place for shopping and remains one of the best attractions in Rome. This place is open for tourists throughout the year and is one of the bustling places in the city. This popular historical site in Rome derives its name from Palazzo di Spagna which means the seat of the Embassy of Spain to the holy see. Its wide irregular gatherings with curves, terraces, vistas, and straight flights is a magnificent example of the world-famous Italian Baroque style. The Spanish steps were constructed in the eighteenth century and connect the Piazza di Spagna and the church of Trinita Dei Monti. These well-structured stairs are a hotspot for tourists to sit and relax and know the bustling vibe of Rome better. Such wonders of this square make it one of the most important squares of Rome.

Address: 00187 Roma RM, Italy.

Timings: Open all day.

The Pantheon was initially built as a temple for all the gods but later became the church for Rome and is an important historical site in Rome. It was built by emperor Adrian and is considered one of the best-preserved buildings of Rome. The Pantheon, which stands today in central Rome, is the third structure built after the other two Pantheons in which one which was commissioned by Agrippa was burnt down by the fire, and the second was built by Domitian and was destroyed by lightning. The Pantheon building houses two main parts, and one is the Porch, which is represented in classical Greek architecture and the second is the circular main building that depicts the Roman architectural retreat. As one of the most influential buildings in Rome, the pantheon is a major tourist attraction. The importance of Pantheon in the history of the Roman Empire is vast, and it serves as a material for other architectural designs. It is an unrivaled artifact of the Roman era.

Timings: This ancient spectacle is open on Mon-Fri: 8.30 am to 6 pm, Sat: 8.30 am to 7.30 pm and Sun: 9 am to 6 pm.

Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Also known as Trajan's market, this historical site in Rome consists of a large complex of ruins of Rome. Stroll through the floors of Mercati di Triano, as you visit the Imperial Forum Museum. The two huge halls in the lower levels are commonly used for concerts and plays. This place is one of the countless beauties of ancient Roman architectural splendor. This huge complex was the space for shops, warehouses, and offices where Romans gathered in this Trajan's second-century complex. It provides a stunning multimedia display of the Imperial Forum. The Great Hall of this place houses occasional busts, sculptures, and artifacts that are fascinating apart from its giant structure, which was once an important administrative office for the Romans. You may consider it as an ancient mall with advanced architecture.

Timings: Its open from 9.30 am to 6 pm every day.

Address: Via Quattro Novembre, 94, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

Piazza Venezia takes its name from Palazzo Venezia, which was the building commissioned by Pietro Barbo, who later became Pope Paul 2 and is the central hub of Rome. Located at the heart of the city, this historical site in Rome is situated where four major roads meet. The four roads of Piazza Venezia which cause chaotic traffic are Via del Corso, Via Dei Fori Imperiali, Via Teatre Marcello and Via del Plebiscito. Only during the First World War, the Italian government took possession of this place. This place now houses medieval and renaissance arts, Museo di Palazzo. Visiting the Piazza Venezia lets you explore the vital attractions of Rome in a few steps. The nearby places that are a few minute's walks away from here are Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, and the Palazzo Venezia. At present, Piazza Venezia houses Museo del Palazzo Venezia.

Timings: Open Sun-Sat: 8.30 am to 9 pm.

Address: Rome RM, Italy

Ages ago, before the technological inventions of the modern lie detector, it is believed that The Mouth of Truth bites the hands of liars. The Mouth of Truth is amidst the historical sites in Rome made up of marble masks and holes for eyes, nose, and mouth. Currently, it stands at the left wall of the portico of the Santa Maria in Cosmedin Church. This attracts the tourists worldwide who audaciously stick their hand into the mouth of Truth and take pictures. This is a Roman marble disc that, according to history, closes its mouth when a liar puts his hand into it. It is believed that the Mouth of Truth is carved to represent the face of the sea God Oceanus and it weighs a massive 1300 kgs. It is placed at Piazza Bocca Della Verita. It is also said that during the age of Roman-era this huge mask was a sewer disc.

Timings: It is open throughout the week, 9.30 am - 5.30 pm.

Address: Piazza della Bocca della Verità, 18, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Located between the two famous attractions Colosseum and the Palantine Hill, this historical site in Rome, the Arch of Constantine, is a 1700-year-old gigantic structure in Rome. This ancient structure was erected by the Roman Senate to celebrate the victory of Constantine 1 over Maxentius in the battle of Milivian Bridge. It consists of 21 meters heights, 25 meters weight, and three arches. This arch owns the privilege of being the largest surviving arch built during the Roman age. The four detached Corinthian columns divide the arches. These Corinthian columns in Numidian yellow marble stand on a pedestal and are topped with entablature. The giant block above the monument's ache presents sculpted panels and Latin inscriptions in praise of emperor Constantine. This Arch also holds sculptures from various other buildings of those times like the statues of prisoners from the Forum of Trajan, a set of eight Aurelian panels, and a series of Hadrianic roundels, to name a few.

Address: Via di San Gregorio, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Timings: Open all day.

The splendor of Rome cannot be explored in one day, even by the most energetic tourist. Apart from the places listed above, there are plenty of historical sites in Rome that are worth visiting. The legendary beauty of the Palantine Hill and the Arch of Constantine exhibit sheer architectural splendor. Explore the neighboring towns of Rome. So, get your bags packed and plan your trip to the heart of Italy, Rome, and indulge yourself in the impressive history of the Roman empire. Stroll through the streets to know more about the vibe of the city and find time to enter a nearby cafe to soak up the atmosphere. For entering any tourist destination in Rome, there may be long queues; to avoid them, you can avail passes that allow direct entry to multiple sites.