There is an abundance of ancient Roman ruins leftover from the peak of the empire. They stand scattered across the terrain of the city whispering histories that are timeless, stories that need to be retold for the marvel they unfold within those who are curious enough to listen. These archaeological testimonies are what allow us to travel back in time and immerse ourselves in the glory of ancient Rome.
This article seeks to provide you with a list of the most important ancient ruins in Rome that should not be missed out on when planning your trip.
The Colosseum (and its Underground)
We have already established this Flavian amphitheater as one of the famous places in Ancient Rome, in fact, it can easily be considered the most iconic of them all. Most of us, however, are aware of the ruins that can be seen above ground but are oblivious to the trail of archaeological treasures that still remain in the underground.
Location: The Colosseum is located on the east side of the Palatine hill.
Piazza del Colosseo 1 -00184 Roma (RM)
What can be found:
- Auditorium seating: With a holding capacity of 40,000-80,000, the Colosseum was built in tiers for these accomodations, with the lower tiers being reserved for important, high-profile spectactors and the highest tier usually reserved for lower classes which included women and slaves.
- Arena floor: All entertainment activities such as gladiator fights, wild animal hunts, mock sea battles, executions and reenactments of famous battles would take place on this floor.
- Hypogeum: This is what the underground of the Colosseum was called,with underground passages, storage rooms for props, elevators and lifts, cells for gladiators, cages for animals, trapdoors and hatches for surprise entrances onto the arena floor and more.
- The vomitoria: Passageways in the corridors of the Colosseum that were positioned strategically to let the audiences efficiently get to their seats.
State of preservation:
Over time the Colosseum has gone through enough wear and tear to not be in the condition to be used as an auditorium for entertainment purposes anymore. The original arena floor has not been maintained, exposing the hypogeum underneath. However, the impressive facade of the structure still remains and a lot of preservation efforts by the Italian government have gone into its sustainance.
In use today:
Today the Colosseum is one of the most widely visited ruins for the purposes of being a tourist attraction and an archaeological site. Many visit it from the outside just to admire its ‘colossal’ exterior, but you can still enter the colosseum for tours that allow you to explore its arena floor as well as its fascinating underground area.
The Roman Forum
You can’t organize a tour of the Roman ruins in Rome without including the Imperial Forum in your itinerary. This used to be a very important, bustling commercial square that served ancient Rome through the temples and political buildings it contained, but also through the plaza itself, giving people a public space to convene in. The structures that are still standing today still give a comprehensive idea of the floor plans of this once busy hub.
Location: These ruins are located in between the Palatine and the Capitoline hills in the historic center of Rome.
Largo della Salara Vecchia 5/6 -00186 Roma (RM)
What can be found:
- Temples: The ruins of several temples dedicated to different gods and goddessess make up an important part of the forum. These include the Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vesta, Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Caesar and more.
- Arches: The Roman forum contains several arches, each with their own historical significance, such as the Arch of Titus, Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Septimius Severus.
- Political buildings: Several political spaces inhabit the forum such as the Curia Julia which was the meeting place for the Roman Senate, Basilica Julia which was used for different administrative and court activities, and the Rostra which was an outdoor platform for public speeches and addresses.
State of preservation:
Much of this ancient public forum has been eroded away over time, leaving fragments of the aforementioned structures to be still standing. To keep these still existing features a lot of conservation efforts go in through different bodies including the government as well as private authorities.
In use today:
The forum is not used for any of its original purposes in contemporary times. However, it is still widely visited as a tourist destination and an archaelogical site, whether it is by observing it from right outside, or with a bird’s-eye view from the Palatine hill, or through buying a ticket and actually roaming through the ruins of the ancient structures.
Largo di Torre Argentina:
Although less publicized than the other landmarks, Largo di Torre Argentina is one of the most iconic places among the ruins of ancient Rome. This square gets its extreme historical significance from the incident of Julius Caesar’s assassination taking place here in 44 BC. You may be able to recall this from Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar” with the famous line uttered by Caesar to one of the senators, Brutus, responsible for the murder, “Et tu, Brute?”.
Location: You can find the square in the Campus Martius area which is part of the historic area of Rome. It is at walking distance from the Pantheon.
Largo di Torre Argentine 00186 Roma (RM)
What can be found:
- Roman Republican temples: We can find the columns and foundations of the four temples marked A,B,C and D as still part of the square. These date back to the 3rd and 4th centuries BC.
- Theatrum Pompeii: The symbolic theater is where Julius Caesar was assassinated and was considered to be one of the first permanent theaters of Rome.
State of preservation:
Largo di Torre Argentina is the largest Republican complex that has survived and can still be seen in Rome today. The ruins still hold some resemblance to normal buildings and streets. The placements of the four Republican temples can also still be traced in the ruins, all of which indicate what a bustling hub this used to be in ancient Rome. Major restoration work on this site was carried out by the luxury jewellery brand Bvlgari.
In use today:
Largo di Torre Argentina is well known today for the cat sanctuary built inside it. They deal with the rescue, care and adoption of cats, and so many visit to observe or even play with the cats meandering around in the ruins.
You can also visit the site to observe the ruins. Several viewing platforms at varying levels have been built in the square for a more immersive experience.
On the Ides of March (15th March) a historical reenactment of Julius Caesar’s assassination takes place amongst the ruins of Largo Argentina, open for the public to watch.
Circo Massimo
Circo Massimo (commonly translated to Circus Maximus) can probably be deemed as the first testimony of the Roman era. It is one of the largest (in terms of length) entertainment spaces/auditorium of sorts to have reached our days. It was the most well known for chariot horse racing, the elliptical shape being perfect for this kind of spectacle. Think about it, the Colosseum on the other hand was more conducive for other kinds of entertainment due to its floor plan!
Location: The ancient stadium is located in between the Palatine and Aventine hills in Rome.
Via dell’Ara di Conso 4 – 00153 Roma (RM)
What can be found:
- The race track: This ovalesque track was particularly constructed for chariot racing, with two long sides and two shorter, curved ends.
- The spina: The stretch of land/island that lays in the center of the racing track used to be decorated with statues, obelisks and other structures.
- The Carceres: These starting gates for the chariot races still have remnants that have been upheld till today.
State of preservation:
For being such an ancient archaeological site, Circo Massimo has maintained its shape relatively well, still remaining a useable space. Local authorities and other archaeological organizations have put in conservation efforts over time to maintain the few structures remaining within the site. However, if you look up what Circo Massimo used to look like in its prime, it is astonishing how much it has changed.
In use today:
The Circo Massimo is so fascinating for the multiplicity of uses people have given it in modern times. It is used regularly as a running track and for dog walking. It is used to hold massive national and international concerts and is often used as a gathering space for protests in the city.
Appian Way
There are several ancient roads that stretch out across the geographical canvas of Italy. Via Appia is considered to be the one of the earliest and most pivotal roads, helping enormously with the expansion of the Roman Empire by creating a link with the south of Italy , first with Capua, and then all the way to Brindisi. This allowed for the movement of all sorts of goods, troops and travelers. The road was initiated by Roman censor Appius Claudius Caecus in 312 BC.
Location: The Appian Antica road starts in Rome from the gate Porta San Sebastiano which is the southeastern gate of the Aurelian Walls.
What can be found:
- Porta San Sebastiano: An ancient gate located along the Appian road. It was a part of the defense structure of the Aurelian wall built by the emperor Aurelian.
- Appia Antica Regional Park: A regional park that covers and hence preserves a large portion of the ancient road. It contains various archaeological sites that are said to be a part of the route of Via Appia.
- Catacombs: There are many notable ancient underground burial sites along the Appian Way.
- Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella: An iconic ancient tomb built for an influential Roman noblewoman from the Metella family.
- Villa of the Quintilli: An example of the rural retreats used by the Roman elite, this particular one belonged to the wealthy Quintili brothers. All that is left now of the villa are some structural ruins.
State of preservation:
Regardless of being one of the oldest roads, the flat stoned road of Via Appia remains intact enough to actually still be used for routes. For this reason, you can still find several Roman ruins near Rome as well as within the city limits.
In use today:
Via Appia is a very popular bike route, and so makes for a beautiful physical excursion away from the normal surroundings in Rome. The Appia Antica Regional Park that covers a significantly large part of the road can be a haven for nature lovers, often used for picnics and soft hikes. It even has a shared public garden where you can volunteer your time!
Palatine Hill
It is on this very hill, where the inception of Rome originates.
Do you know the story about Romulus and Remus?
You may find carvings and art pieces of the twins and the legendary she-wolf on buildings, in museums and even engraved in the tiles of the city. The myth shares that the twins who were sons of the god of Mars were abandoned in a basket in the Tiber river. Here, a she-wolf found them, and nursed them until a shepherd found them and started raising them. Years later the twins learnt about their royal blood and decided to set up a city of their own. An argument on which hill the city should be built on ensued, Romulus eventually killed Remus, chose his choice of the Palatine hill and named the city ‘Rome’ after himself.
Therefore, the Palatine hill is where the first Roman settlement started, the raised land protecting their society from the floods of the Tiber River.
Location:
The Palatine hill is in the historical center of the city, located in between the Roman Forum and Circo Massimo.
Via di San Gregorio 30 00186 Roma (RM)
What can be found:
- The Domus Flavia: A part of Emperor Domitian’s palace, this complex consisted of courts and halls for banqueting and audiences.
- House of Augustus: This intricately designed and connected house belonged to the first Roman emperor, Augustus.
- Palatine Museum: This museum is curated to give context to the histories of the Palatine hill.
- Farnese Gardens: These historical gardens were built to be part of the imperial palaces, and still remain to this day.
- House of Livia: This house belonged to Livia, the wife of the emperor Augustus.
State of preservation:
On the Palatine hill one can find a mix of well preserved structures and ruins. It is impressive that some of the sites can still be entered, such as the House of Livia, although sometimes this access is limited.
In use today:
Today, the Palatine hill is visited in order to discover the ruins of the empire that it still holds, and for the brilliant views it provides of Rome, but also particularly of Circo Massimo and the Roman forum.
However, there are other activities that one can enjoy on the Palatine hill. For example, why not take advantage of the splendid views and use it as an opportunity for a painting or drawing session? Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to take back home your own art, with your own perspective on how to capture the essence of the city? Walks Inside Rome offers a water color painting workshop on the Palatine hill, which is great for both adults and children alike!
Baths of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla were one of the largest public bath complexes in ancient Rome built during the time of Emperor Caracalla by 216 AD. Bathhouses were a central part of ancient Roman life, providing spaces for socializing as well as beauty treatments, rituals and ceremonies, purification activities and cultural endeavors. Walking amongst the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla with its immense walls, columns and statues towering above is an experience that surrounds the observer with a sense of enormity and grandeur of what life in the ancient empire was actually like, outside the eco-political histories that are most commonly shared.
Location:
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 52- 00153 Roma (RM)
What can be found:
- Bathing rooms: The baths had several different kinds of bathing rooms. The calidarium was for hot baths and steam rooms, the tepidarium had warm to moderate water temperatures and the frigidarium offered cold baths.
- Outdoor swimming pool: This pool was called the natatio and was surrounded by courtyards with massive collonades. Imagine being able to swim and soak with that grand view!
- Other recreational facilities: The baths also had a gynasium and a library, further creating an atmosphere conducive for socializing and cultural activities.
- Courtyards and gardens: Once, the colonnades of the courtyards were decorated with intricate designs and the gardens used to be lush green.
- Mosaics and Frescoes: These would depict different stories, also contributing to the immersive atmosphere of the baths.
- Decorative features: These included statues and sculptures of emperors and deities, emperors and mythological creatures, the use of colored marble and stained glass windows, and water features such as fountains, pools and cascades.
State of preservation:
Among the Roman ruins that are better preserved, we find the Baths of Caracalla. A lot of its towering walls are still there today, encapsulating those who enter into its world. Remnants of some of the interior features can still be made out, however, a complete picture of what the baths used to be like can not be given to the visitors- one must rely on their imagination to an extent!
In use today:
Although the baths are no longer used for their original purpose anymore, they do serve as a widely visited (ticketed) archaeological site, captivating tourists, students, professors, architects, artists and more. Sometimes in the hotter months the complex is also used to host musical concerts, lending the performances a dream-like and enchanting atmosphere.
The Pyramid of Cestius
Throughout the Testaccio neighborhood, you can find evidence of the ancient Roman Empire, but the Pyramid of Cestius is probably one of the most iconic Roman ancient ruins. It is unlike what you would imagine to see in the city- a tomb commissioned by a wealthy magistrate named Gaius Cestius Epulo between 18 and 12 BC to serve as a tomb for himself.
The Roman pyramid is influenced by the style of the Egyptian pyramids, which gives us a peek into the the theory of a trend followed by the Roman elite to infuse ‘exotic’ and grandiose architectural styles into their final resting places.
Location: The tomb is located in Rome’s neighborhood of Testaccio.
Via Raffaele Persichetti -00153 Roma (RM)
What can be found:
- The monumental structure: The high rising pyramid structure is made of concrete and bricks and is tiled with slabs of white marble called Carrara, brought from the Carrara region in Tuscany.
- Inscriptions: There are Latin inscriptions on two sides of the pyramid, one having the name of Gaius Cestrius, and the other has names of those who worked on the construction of the tomb.
- Burial Chamber: Inside the pyramid there is a relatively simplistic burial chamber for Gaius Cestius, with a narrow passageway leading to it.
State of preservation:
Thanks to the pyramid became incorporated into the Aurelian Wall in the 3rd century, the preservation of the exterior has seen significant upkeep. However, the same case can not be said for the interior and due to preservation concerns it is hardly open for public viewing.
In use today:
Out of all the ruins mentioned in this list, this landmark is in use the least. There is no way to enter the interior of the pyramid, and so it is visited as an archaeological site just to be viewed for its exterior. It often acts as a visual marker of the area of the city you would be entering, helping you locate yourself on-ground.
Tour the Roman ruins:
It can, however, be daunting to plan a Rome ruins tour by yourself. Luckily it is possible to rely on tour operators to lift that weight off your shoulders. Walks Inside Rome offers a wide variety of solutions for these purposes, creating several permutations of ruins to explore in a single tour, for example, our VIP Colosseum underground tour and our Appian Way bike tour.
