On Via Quattro Novembre, the Mercati di Traiano houses the Museum of the Imperial Fora within a vast ancient complex built on several levels. Walk past Roman streets, columns and spaces once used for shops and administration, then see architectural and sculptural reconstructions made with original fragments, casts and stone additions. Museum displays, panels and interactive media explain the different Imperial Fora and ancient Roman life. Save time for the terrace: it looks across the Imperial Forums and Trajan’s Column, with views towards the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II.
A complex built into the hillside
The Mercati di Traiano rises in tiers on the slopes of the Quirinal Hill. Its buildings formed part of the urban plan around the Imperial Fora and were used for administrative activities as well as commercial ones. The site is often called the world’s first shopping centre, though its purpose extended beyond trade.
The complex is large enough to explore as architecture in its own right. Walkways, columns and rooms show how the buildings fit together across different levels. The site was altered and reused over the centuries, but much of its structure remains visible.
The Museum of the Imperial Fora
The museum uses the Mercati as a setting for displays about Rome’s imperial forums, including those of Caesar, Augustus, Nerva and Trajan, as well as the Temple of Peace. Reconstructed architectural and sculptural decoration combines surviving fragments with casts and stone additions, helping you see how elements may have fitted into the original buildings.
Panels and multimedia installations provide context as you move through the rooms and outdoor spaces. A short film in the first room introduces the site’s history. The terrace offers a high view across the Imperial Forums and towards Trajan’s Column; nearby landmarks include the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II.
Perguntas frequentes
How long should I spend at the Mercati di Traiano?
Allow around 2 to 3 hours to explore the museum and the multi-level complex.
What can you see inside the museum?
Displays cover the Imperial Fora and include sculptures, inscriptions and reconstructions made with original fragments, casts and stone additions.
Can you visit the area around Trajan’s Column with the museum ticket?
Access to the area close to Trajan’s Column is described as requiring a separate ticket, sold elsewhere. Check the ticket details before you go.
Is there a terrace at the Mercati di Traiano?
Yes. The panoramic terrace looks across the Imperial Forums and towards Trajan’s Column, with views of other historic landmarks.
