• Lapis Niger - The Lapis Niger, meaning “Black Stone” in Latin, is an ancient shrine situated in the Roman Forum, dating back to the 6th century BCE. Legend has it that this shrine marks the burial site of the legendary Roman king Romulus, who was allegedly murdered by his own people. Remarkably, despite its historical significance, the Lapis Niger was discovered by chance in the 19th century. During excavations in the Roman Forum in 1899, archaeologists unexpectedly uncovered the Lapis Niger beneath a medieval pavement, creating a sensation among scholars and archaeologists, as no one anticipated finding a king’s tomb.

• Basilica Emilia - The Basilica Emilia was one of the most significant public buildings in ancient Rome, serving as a venue for senatorial meetings and a hub for legal and commercial activities. Originally constructed in the 2nd century BCE, it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt multiple times over the centuries. The ruins of the basilica remain visible today in the Roman Forum, offering a captivating insight into the architecture and engineering of ancient Rome.

• Tempio di Antonino e Faustina - The Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina is an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the deified emperor Antoninus Pius and his wife, Faustina the Elder. According to legend, the temple was erected to celebrate the couple’s love. Antoninus Pius was renowned for his peaceful reign and dedication to the arts and sciences, while Faustina the Elder was celebrated for her beauty and philanthropy. The temple was among the largest and most ornate in Rome, adorned with intricate carvings, statues, and other decorations. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the temple fell into disrepair and was repurposed over the centuries, including as a church. Today, its ruins are still visible in the Roman Forum, serving as a testament to the grandeur of ancient Rome.

• Regia - The Regia was an ancient Roman building in the Roman Forum that served as the official residence of Rome’s kings and later the pontifex maximus, the high priest of Rome. Legend suggests that the Regia was constructed following the advice of the goddess Egeria, with whom King Numa Pompilius held meetings. Egeria was believed to have advised him on state and religious matters. The Regia was considered one of Rome’s most sacred and significant buildings, associated with numerous important religious and political ceremonies. Today, only a few ruins of the Regia remain in the Roman Forum, but they remind us of the building’s rich history and importance in ancient Rome.

• Tempio di Vesta - The Temple of Vesta was a vital religious site in ancient Rome, located near the Regia in the Roman Forum. It was where the Vestal Virgins, a group of six priestesses chosen at a young age and required to remain celibate for thirty years, tended to the sacred flame symbolizing Rome’s eternal life. The Vestal Virgins were highly esteemed in ancient Rome, with a status nearly equal to that of Roman senators. They were responsible for keeping the flame burning continuously, and their purity was deemed essential for the Roman state’s well-being. Any breach of their vow of chastity was considered a severe offense, and a Vestal Virgin found guilty of breaking her vow faced the grave punishment of being buried alive.

• Casa delle Vestali - The House of the Vestals was a large complex comprising several buildings, including living quarters for the Vestal Virgins, a temple dedicated to Vesta, and various administrative and ritual spaces. The Vestal Virgins were selected from young girls aged six to ten, chosen for their physical and mental purity. Once chosen, they served a thirty-year term, during which they were expected to remain celibate and fulfill their religious duties. The Vestal Virgins were highly regarded by the Roman people and enjoyed numerous privileges, including the right to own property and the power to grant clemency to condemned prisoners. They were also exempt from certain laws and permitted to ride in a carriage, a privilege reserved for only the highest-ranking officials.

• Fonte di Giuturna - In Roman mythology, Juturna was the goddess of fountains, wells, and springs. Legend has it that Juturna was a nymph desired by the god Jupiter (Zeus). When Jupiter attempted to pursue her, she escaped and was transformed into a spring, known as the Juturna Spring. The spring was believed to possess healing powers, attracting people from all over Rome to bathe in its waters.

• Il Tempio dei Dioscuri - According to legend, the twin gods Castor and Pollux, also known as the Dioscuri, played a crucial role in the Battle of Lake Regillus, a legendary conflict between Rome and the Latin League in the late 6th century BCE. After the battle, the Dioscuri were said to have appeared on horseback at the Roman Forum, announcing the Roman victory. Consequently, a temple was dedicated to them in the Forum to honor their role in the battle and their continued protection of the Roman state. The Temple of Dioscuri, also known as the Temple of Castor and Pollux, partially stands in the Forum today.

• Lacus Curtius - According to legend, the Lacus Curtius was named after a young Roman soldier named Curtius who sacrificed himself to save Rome from destruction. The story tells of a deep chasm that suddenly opened in the Roman Forum, and the Sibylline Books prophesied that Rome would only be saved if its most valuable possession was thrown into the abyss. Curtius, clad in full armor and riding his horse, bravely rode into the chasm and vanished, causing it to close and saving Rome. To commemorate this heroic act, a small lake was created on the spot where the chasm had been, known as the Lacus Curtius. The tale of Marcus Curtius and the Lacus Curtius later became a symbol of self-sacrifice and devotion to Rome.

• Tempio di Saturno - According to Roman mythology, the Temple of Saturn was built at the site where Saturn, the god of agriculture, had originally established his reign. Saturn was believed to have brought civilization to Italy and taught the people agriculture, making him a significant deity to the early Romans. The temple housed the state treasury, and during the Saturnalia festival, which celebrated the god’s agricultural influence and lasted from December 17 to December 23, the treasury was opened, and gifts were exchanged. Dating back to the early 5th century BCE, it is the first large temple built in the Roman Forum.

• Umbilicus Urbis - The Umbilicus Urbis in Rome is a conical brick structure with a door leading to an underground cavity. According to Plutarch’s account of Rome’s foundation, Romulus dug a circular pit in the Comitium and threw in offerings and a handful of soil from each follower’s homeland. This pit, called the “Mundus,” was considered the center of the circular furrow marking Rome’s sacred boundary. The Mundus was opened only three days a year to facilitate communication between the worlds of the living and the dead. It was deemed impious to engage in any public activities during these days.

• Arco di Settimio Severo - The Arch of Septimius Severus is one of the best-preserved triumphal arches in Rome, renowned for its impressive reliefs depicting scenes from the emperor’s military campaigns. The arch also served as a model for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, constructed over a thousand years later. Additionally, the Arch of Septimius Severus has stood as a symbol of victory and military prowess for centuries, making it a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts alike. A fascinating fact about the Arch of Septimius Severus is that it has withstood numerous earthquakes and floods over the centuries and even served as a medieval fortress in the 14th century. It stands as a testament to the durability and resilience of Roman engineering and construction.

• Milliarium Aureum - The Miliarium Aureum was a monument in Rome that served as the central hub for measuring distances to other cities throughout the empire. Erected by Emperor Caesar Augustus in the early 1st century AD, it is considered one of the oldest surviving milestones in the world. The expression “all roads lead to Rome” originated during the Roman Empire when Rome was the hub of a vast network of roads connecting it to all parts of the empire. The Romans constructed over 50,000 miles of paved roads throughout their empire, all radiating from Rome. The Miliarium Aureum served as the central point from which all these roads were measured. While the expression “all roads lead to Rome” is often used figuratively to mean that there are many ways to achieve a goal, it was originally a literal statement about the Roman road network and the city’s importance as the empire’s center.

• Basilica Julia - The Basilica Julia played a crucial role in the Roman legal system as one of the main venues for conducting trials and legal proceedings in ancient Rome. The building functioned as a courthouse, where judges and lawyers conducted trials and heard cases. It also housed government offices and served as a meeting place for the Roman Senate. The basilica featured a raised platform or tribunal for the judges, as well as spaces for the parties and witnesses involved in the trial. The Roman legal system, based on the principles of law and justice, influenced modern legal systems in Europe and beyond. The law was considered a fundamental pillar of Roman society, and its influence is still evident in the architecture and organization of modern courthouses and legal institutions. The Basilica Julia, as a symbol of Roman justice, reflects the importance of law and order in Roman culture and history.

• Curia Julia - The Curia Julia was the meeting place of the Roman Senate, the political institution that advised Roman magistrates and played a significant role in the governance of the Republic and later the Empire. Built by Julius Caesar in 44 BC after he became dictator, the Curia Julia replaced an older Senate house. The Senate, consisting of around 300 members, held regular meetings in the Curia to discuss and debate matters of state. The meetings were presided over by the consuls or, in their absence, by other magistrates. The Senate had the power to pass laws, approve or reject treaties, and make important decisions related to foreign and domestic policy. It was a powerful institution that played a crucial role in the Roman political system. Today, only the outer walls of the Curia Julia remain standing, but it remains an important symbol of the power and influence of the Roman Senate in the ancient world.

• Temple of Divus Julius - The Temple of the Deified Julius, also known as the Temple of Divus Julius or Temple of Caesar, was constructed in Rome by Augustus after Julius Caesar’s death and was the first temple in Rome dedicated to an individual who was not a god or goddess. The plebs, or common people of Rome, were reportedly devastated by Julius Caesar’s death and mourned him deeply. Many viewed him as a champion of the people and a defender of their rights against the aristocratic Senate. His death sparked widespread unrest in the city, and Caesar’s funeral procession was said to be one of the largest in Roman history, with an estimated crowd of over 100,000 people.

• Headset to hear the guide clearly (over 6 people)
• Official guide
• Entrance ticket to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Imperial Forums
• Roman Forum guided tour

• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Transportation to/from attractions
• Food and drinks
• Gratuities
• Colosseum access

Begin an adventure through the legends of ancient Rome! Discover the myths and stories that influenced the beliefs and values of one of history’s most formidable empires.

From the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus, to the tales of the illustrious Julius Caesar, listen to stories of courageous soldiers and shrewd politicians as you traverse the heart of this once-mighty empire.

Delve into the rich history and culture of Rome as you uncover the origins of the city and the legendary figures who directed its fate. Join this unforgettable journey through the myths and legends of ancient Rome.

Explore the historic center of the mighty Roman Empire and learn about its gods, myths, and legends.

• The full names (as written in the ID or Passport) of all the participants in the booking are needed at the time of the booking, incomplete information on the booking cannot guarantee the entrance to the Roman Forum. ID or passport are mandatory. Guests who show up without ID or passport cannot be guaranteed entrance.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.