Trajan's Market

Situated on Via dei Fori Imperiali, Trajan's Market is an archaeological complex that currently holds the Museum of Imperial Forums (Museo dei Fori Imperiali). It is considered to be Rome’s first “shopping center”.

The market buildings are divided into six levels distributed in two areas, upper and lower. Communications are secured horizontally by three pedestrian streets, while the vertical connections are coordinated by internal and external stairs.

The complex of Trajan’s Market housed administrative offices for the activities that took place in the forum. In the surroundings of the “central body”, the headquarters of Trajan Forum’s procurator must have been, who was responsible for the functioning of Trajan’s Forum.

The topographic location and availability of large spaces in quantity and quality have favoured the constant reuse of the “Market”: from the residences of prestigious Roman families in Castellum Miliciae, with the multi-stage construction of the mighty Tower of the Militias, a complete transformation of the Dominican convent of St. Catherine of Siena, and the reoccupation after capital Rome with an army barracks.

Currently the new use for the complex is home to the Museo dei Fori Imperiali (Museum of the Imperial Forums)

 Museo dei Fori Imperiali

When you visit the Imperial Forum Museum, you can stroll through Mercati di Traiano's various levels, as well as admiring several exhibitions that show the Imperial Forums' different aspects.

The exhibitions are comprised of models and videos that accompany the various remains that are left from the Imperial Forums to try to transport visitors to classical Roman times.

Rome's commercial past

Although it does not enjoy as much fame as the Colosseum, Trajan's Market maintains an important part of its original appearance and offers a really interesting visit.