Ulpian Library, Ancient Roman library in Forum of Trajan, Italy.
The Ulpian Library was a building in Trajan's Forum designed with two separate levels to house large collections. The structure featured high vaults and carefully positioned windows that brought daylight into reading areas while also protecting stored scrolls.
Emperor Trajan established the library in 114 CE as part of his extensive forum complex. It remained in operation through the centuries until political and social upheaval gradually led to its decline.
The library served as a vital repository for records that reflected Roman life, from administrative documents to personal writings. Visitors could see how an ancient library functioned both as a reading space and as an important archive for the city.
The building was accessible to readers and offered both standing and seating areas with good lighting. A visit required no special preparation since the spaces were designed to be open and welcoming.
One striking feature was the use of bronze screens to separate and organize different collection areas within the building. This design approach was innovative for its time and showed how carefully administrators thought about space usage.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
