It is no exaggeration to say that Trajan's Market was the first truly modern shopping centre of its kind.

In the 2nd century AD, Emperor Trajan built a massive arcaded structure with more than 150 shops in one enclosed space, something that was completely revolutionary at the time and considered one of the wonders of the world.

Even today, the market hall has been preserved almost in its original form, only without the shops, so as not to disturb the old masonry.

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What you can see here

The main difference from the Forum Romano, which is on the other side of the street, are the very well-preserved multi-storey red-brick buildings.

Instead of isolated ruins:

• you walk through real spaces
• you see rooms, corridors and streets
• you get a better idea of the scale of an ancient city

Views of Trajan's Forum

If you don't want to visit the museum or walk directly among the ruins, Trajan's Forum is great to see for free from the main street.

You can see practically the whole area, which is over 350 metres long.

Entrance fees and reservations

Is a reservation required? Absolutely not. Trajan's Forum is one of the less visited monuments and the queues for entry are short.

It's open every day from 9:30am. Closing times vary according to the season and can be checked on the website museiincomuneroma.vivaticket.it.

Prices are as follows:

• 20,50 eur - Adults
• 15 eur - minors up to 25 years of age

What to see around

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