Roman Forum, Archaeological complex in central Rome, Italy
The Forum Romanum stretches across a rectangular valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, encompassing government buildings, temples and public spaces from antiquity. The site displays fragments of columns, arches and paved streets spread across multiple levels, with modern pathways running through them.
In the 8th century BC, a swampy lake basin was drained and transformed into the political center of Rome. After the fall of the empire, the area remained buried for centuries until archaeologists began systematic excavations in the 18th and 19th centuries.
When walking through the ruins today, visitors see cameras and tour groups gathering around ancient columns everywhere. Archaeologists continue excavation work while local guides tell their stories in different languages, keeping the atmosphere of the place alive.
The area is extensive and requires comfortable shoes, as visitors walk over uneven stones and sometimes steep paths. Shade is limited, so visiting in early morning or late afternoon is advisable, especially during summer months.
The Cloaca Maxima, one of the earliest sewage systems in the world, still flows beneath the site and remains operational after 2500 years. Some of its original stone channels can still be seen at certain points in the area.
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