Umbilicus urbis Romae, Archaeological site in Roman Forum, Italy.
The Umbilicus Urbis Romae is a cylindrical brick structure in the Roman Forum, standing close to the Arch of Septimius Severus. It has an open pit at its base and was conceived as the geographic and symbolic center of Rome.
The structure was first built in the 2nd century BC to mark the center of Rome. Around 203 AD, Emperor Septimius Severus had it rebuilt as part of changes made to the Forum's layout.
In ancient times this spot was seen as the center of the known world, the point from which all distances across the Roman Empire were measured. Travelers arriving in Rome would drop a handful of soil from their homeland into the pit below as a way of linking themselves to their new city.
The structure sits in the open area of the Roman Forum and is easy to spot when walking through the site. Entry to the Forum requires a ticket, and visiting in the early morning or late afternoon helps avoid the busiest moments of the day.
The pit at the base of the structure was believed in ancient times to open only three days a year, acting as a passage between the world of the living and the dead. These openings were tied to specific religious rituals and show how deeply the Romans connected everyday places to their spiritual life.
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