The Forum was the centre of ancient Rome, standing at the centre of today’s Rome. This is the Roman forum, and around it formed all of western civilization. Originally wet land it was drained in the  7th century BC. It came to importance when Rome’s second king built the home of the vestal virgins there, along with the first Royal Palace. 

It is here where all of the most important temples were placed, along with law courts, as well as the seat of government and the economic hub of the empire.  Around it formed all of western civilization, something which you can feel as you walk down its centre. 

Just east, down the Via Foro Imperial, sits the Coliseum. Construction started on it between 70 and72 CE, and it is one of the most dominate buildings and symbols of Imperial Rome. Built originally to seat a crowd of 50,000, who would come watch, gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. While it remained in use for nearly 500 years, the only blood sports it host today are getting in to take a look. 

Looking over all of it is the Palatine hill, where the rulers of ancient Rome kept their palaces. Here seen from the circus maximus we can see what were once the basements of these grand palaces which are no more. On this  hill was here that the she-wolf took and protected Romulus and Remus and it was here where the emperor Augustus lived. 

There is one unified ticket for all three sites, costing 11.50 euro and it is good for two days. The sites are also covered by The Roma Pass, The Roma & Piu Pass, and the Roma Archaeologia Card . All three sites are open from 8:30 till one hour before sunset and the ticket office closes two hours before sunset.

All three sites are closed on January 1, December 25.