Explore the Ruins of the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

No trip to Italy is complete without exploring the heart of ancient Rome.  The ruins of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill contain many of the most important structures and buildings of the ancient city. For centuries, the forum was the center for day to day life.  There were important government buildings, a marketplace, monuments, statues and so much more.  The standard admission ticket covers entry into the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. 

Palantine hill is the centermost of the seven hills of Rome.  Excavations at Palatine Hill have revealed artifacts dating between the 9th and 7th century BC, the approximate time period the city of Rome was founded.  From the start of the empire, Augustus built his palace on the hill after which it gradually became an exclusive domain for succeeding emperors, a hill of Imperial Palaces.  Augustus also built the temple of Apollo here.

Many of the most important structures of the ancient city were located on or near the forum.  At the southern end of the forum some of the kingdoms earliest shrines and temples were built. Including the former royal residence, the Regia dating back to the 8th century BC and the Temple of Vesta dating to the 7th century BC.  To the Northwest, the Republic's formal assembly area was developed.  This is where the senate and the Republican government itself began.  As you make your way through the site, you will find many other important structures and meeting places that were the foundation of the Roman Empire.