Mercati di Traiano Museo dei Fori Imperiali

This museum will appeal mostly to those who are interested in the Architecture and decoration of the Imperial Forums and in the evolution of the site. If understanding how a historical site evolves over time excites you then come here, it's well laid out with magnificent sculptures and fragments together with evocative illustrations to help you visualise how everything looked. The view of the Forum is majestic and this museum is much bigger than it looks. There's also one of the best Roman history book shops inside with a decent selection of English books too.

Fantastic and fascinating. Went there first thing on a Monday and for €13, you can spend hours looking around at the archaeological artefacts inside, as well as walking around outside. The marble statues are remarkable to look at and the group I went in with came out feeling that was money well spent. Definitely worth the money.

A chance to walk on an original ancient Roman road, several metres below the modern city. Well worth a visit.

The Mercati di Traiano Museo dei Fori Imperiali in Rome offers a unique glimpse into ancient Roman life, housed in Trajan's Market. With its impressive artifacts, reconstructions, and panoramic views of the Imperial Forums, it’s a must-visit for history lovers.

Favourite museum in Rome! Absolutely amazing history and very kind people who work here.

My favorite site in all of Rome. I was surprised there was no wait at all to get in, considering how crowded every comparable site is! I love that you can leisurely explore the fort and time stand still as you make your way around the ruins. The museum (at the entrance) is full of interesting history and remnants of Ancient Rome.

This is a view of a section of the market complex built during the reign of Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century AD, located at the edge of the Quirinal Hill in Rome. Constructed under the direction of the architect Apollodorus of Damascus, the structure was an integral part of Trajan’s Forum and is often regarded as a pioneering example of multifunctional urban planning in the Roman Empire. The semicircular design of the structure made efficient use of the slope of the hill, with multiple levels of tabernae, or shops, arranged along a central street. The openings at ground level, framed by arches, provided space for commercial activities, with merchants selling goods ranging from food to textiles. Above these spaces, additional administrative offices or storerooms were incorporated, demonstrating the layered functionality of Roman architecture. The stone paving seen in the foreground is a typical Roman basalt road, part of a larger network of pathways that connected the complex. The robust brickwork, a hallmark of the period, exemplifies the widespread use of opus latericium in Trajan’s extensive building projects. This particular site reflects the empire’s architectural and logistical mastery, combining practicality with monumental design. Over time, the structure has undergone modifications, and the higher levels seen in the background include later additions, blending ancient and more modern elements typical of Rome’s urban evolution. This interplay between different architectural periods offers insight into how historical spaces were adapted and repurposed over centuries.

A massive museum through this amazing ancient building. No logical itinerary on the inside so we did a lot of wandering and back tracking. There is a lot of ground to cover and we were there almost 3 hours. Amazing views from the upper stories. Had to check my small backpack but saw a lot of other people walking around with larger packs🤷🏻‍♀️ We went on the free first Sunday of the month and it was very busy.