Trajan's Column: The Sculpted Story of the Dacian Wars

Updated on October 8, 2026

Trajan's Column (Colonna Traiana) stands in Trajan's Forum, between via dei Fori Imperiali and piazza Venezia. Inaugurated in AD 113, it celebrates the emperor Trajan's victories over the Dacians (101-102 and 105-106). A spiral relief about 190 metres long, with some 2,500 human figures, winds round the shaft. It can be seen free of charge from the street and you cannot go inside; allow 20 to 30 minutes to take it in and walk round it.

Highlights

The shaft and the statue of St Peter

The column's shaft is about 30 metres high (100 Roman feet), a little over 35 with the pedestal. The statue of Trajan that crowned it has disappeared; since 1587 it has been replaced by a statue of St Peter, placed by Pope Sixtus V. The monument also served as a tomb: the emperor's ashes are said to have been placed there.

The spiral relief

The frieze tells the two campaigns, from the crossing of the Danube to the battles, embassies and submission of the Dacians. The emperor appears several times, in action and as war leader. The higher up, the larger the figures, so they stay legible from the ground.

Trajan's Forum and its markets

The column stood between the two libraries, in a forum whose Basilica Ulpia is today largely an archaeological area. Trajan's Markets, above, overlook the site: their terrace gives the best view of the column from above; see Trajan's Markets.

Hours and prices

The column can be seen from the street at any time. The archaeological area of Trajan's Forum can be viewed from via dei Fori Imperiali. For entry to Trajan's Markets (ticket from €15 outside temporary exhibitions), see their page.

Practical info

Tips

Do not try to read the frieze in detail from the ground: it is too high. Binoculars help; the terrace of Trajan's Markets gives a closer view from the side. The column fits well into a walk along via dei Fori Imperiali between piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, with the Roman Forum. Also read: ancient Rome, around the Colosseum.

How to get there

Via dei Fori Imperiali, at the corner of piazza Madonna di Loreto, near piazza Venezia, 00186 Rome. Cavour metro station (line B), then about 10 minutes on foot; Colosseo station (lines B and C) is about fifteen minutes away along via dei Fori Imperiali. Buses 40, 60, 64, 70 and 170 to piazza Venezia.