Mercati di Traiano - Museo dei Fori Imperiali, Rome

Top 5 Site To Visit In Rome No kidding. At the end, I'll specify which well-known site I'd recommend skipping in favor of Trajan’s Market & Museum of the Imperial Fora. The so-called market complex is vast, multi-level, full of passageways and staircases...just walking through it is like being a kid again and being an archaeologist--"where does this go?" and "how do I get over there or down there or up there?" and "what's in this room?" The museum is as inspiring and well-presented as that of the Capitoline Museums, though with fewer items. It's a great archaeological treasure chest of finds and information about the five Imperial Fora and the Market of Trajan, with rooms laid out starting with an overview of the Fora and then dedicated rooms to a specific Forum or the Market itself. As with the Capitoline Museums, the A/V guide is world-class and worth the extra cost. I highly recommend visitors avail themselves of the option. It's easy to use, is in multiple languages, is chock-a-block with interesting information about the museum and its holdings, provides choices of curated visits of different lengths and interests, and is physically comfortable to sling across your body. (Also, if like me you have or had a crush on Jeremy Irons and/or just love listening to his resonant voice, you can listen to him throughout your visit as he provides the voice for Emperor Trajan in the English narration.) So skip the Colosseum: it's jam-packed with people and its outside is far more appealing and provides better photos than its inside. Visit instead Mercati di Traiano & Museo dei Fori Imperali.

The Colosseum is roughly a 10-minute walk from Trajan's Market, which is located just across the "Alter of the Fatherland." Many of these historical sites are clustered together in a small space. Trajan's Market is an extension of Trajan's Column and is thought to be the world's oldest commercial mall, erected between 100 and 110 AD by an architect thought to be Emperor Trajan's aid-de-camp. Even though the ruins are apparent, one can see this magnificent monument from afar, which occupied a considerable amount of this area and contained multiple apartments on both the top and bottom levels, which is intriguing. It's fascinating to think that ancient architects with limited technology imagined and erected monuments that are comparable to today's state-of-the-art structures. I applaud the authorities in Rome for preserving these and other ancient monuments for future generations to enjoy and learn from. This location is now used for archaeological research. This is a must-see for any tourist planning a trip to Rome.

Amazing hidden gem. It sits beside The Roman Forum and Trajan's Column and you can easily miss it due to the other wonders nearby. If you're in Rome for the history, this is a must visit. You can walk through the streets of the forum, see where people would have worshipped, shopped, and lived during the early years of the Empire all the way up to Medieval Italy. The views from all floors are unbelievable. You are able to walk through history and really revel in the past. This isn't like the Colosseum or the Circus Maximus, or even the baths, this is an example of everyday life of the common Roman citizen.

This museum is just the right place to feel the atmosphere of an ancient world. Interesting for adults and children. The staff is very friendly and helpful! It was a great time spent in this location. With a MIC card for those who lives or studies in Rome the enterence is always free

If you have MIC card, its free to visit any time you want. From the first moment I stepped in Rome, Trajan Market was the first place that took my attention even it was night... For months I have visited that area and admired the view all the time. The energy it holds is so soothing for me. And for the first time, I had an opportunity to visit Trajan's Market and sensed it's energy for hours...I had very soothing hours in there, as a person who is in love visiting ancient ruins and locations, I left Mercati di Triano with an intense warmth in my heart and my soul was fed💗🌙 If you follow the corridors, your feet will lead you to a terrace and it has the best view!!! So please don't pass this location, because even though how amazing was it, I didn't see any person around...looking to ancient ruins from that terrace made me feel like I'm in a movie scene, especially if you are also interested in cinematography, don't miss it!!!