Foro Romano / Photo by admin

Location

The Forum is located in a valley between the Palatine Hill on the southern border and the Capitoline Hill on the western border. On the east is the Velia, which was leveled in antiquity and two hills Quirinal Hill and Esquiline Hill on the north.
The best place to view the whole complex is from Palazzo Senatorio which is behind Piazza del Campidoglio. After gazing at the ruins and imagining the ancient grandeur and enormous size walk through the broken columns and stones with a guidebook and plenty of time.

Description and Purpose

Filled with beautiful statues and architecture, it was the showcase of Rome for centuries. The Sacra Via or main road through the Forum connected the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Saturn and the Temple of Vesta. The presence of these many significant buildings and monuments testify to the importance of the Roman Forum to the city life.

The Forum was designed by Vitruvius and contained Rome’s key buildings including the Arch of Septimius Severus built in 203 AD and the platforms for public speeches, the Roman Forum Rostra as well as the Curia. The prows of captured warships decorated the Rostra and the triple arch had reliefs that depicted Rome’s victories in war.

Another part of Foro Romano / Photo by admin

The Sacra Via was the culmination point of the heroic military processions when victorious generals entered the city though the Triumphal Gate. The Forum is the oldest part of the city and many great and famous men walked on the same stones that are there today.

Where did it go?

It was for centuries the center of the world with a senate house, law courts, business district and market, and even with only the stones and ruins that can be seen today, it still lifts the heart and mind. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the west, the Forum became a cattle pasture at the end of the 4th century when it was buried and forgotten.

The Roman Senate building or Curia is the largest brick building in the Forum that still has a roof. The original marble floor and tiered seats for senators is still there. The arch of Titus celebrating victories in Jerusalem and the arch of Septimius Severus celebrating victories in Iraq and Iran are on opposite ends of the Forum. Eight magnificent columns of the temple of Saturn which was built in 17 BC remain.
The lead and bronze tiles and clamps were stripped and stolen, the marble blocks and, incredibly, the beautiful statues were burned to make lime for cement. This magnificent place remained forgotten until the nineteenth century when it was appreciated again.

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The once walled city of Padova was surrounded by the many branches of the Bacchiglione River. With canals throughout the city, there are many old bridges scattered around the now bustling metropolitan region. Today there are more than 1.6 million people living in the Padova metropolitan area.

Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, Italy by Schnu99i

Many people who have studied English literature have read The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. The city of Padova was the setting of this very famous play.

It is said that Padova is one of the oldest cities in northernmost part of Italy. According to historical records and artifacts uncovered in the area, it has been determined that the city of Padova was founded by Prince Anteno of the Trojans back in 1183 B.C. A sarcophagus which was uncovered back in 1274 belonged to the prince.

By 45 B.C., the city of Padova became part of the Roman Empire and was well-known throughout the empire for their horse breeding. In front of the Basilica di Sant’Antonio da Padova you will even find the famous Donatello statue of Erasmo da Narni which features a General astride a magnificent steed.

Prato della Valle, Padova, Italy by Fabio Macòr

The city is also home to the University of Padua which was founded more than 820 years ago. Galileo Galilee is one of the most famous lecturers to have stood in the halls of the university. There are also a number of other historically important structures and monuments which can be found throughout Padova. The city is even home to the Palazzo della Ragione which is said to have the largest unsupported roof in the whole of Europe.

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