Trajan's Markets: visiting the Museum of the Imperial Forums (tickets, hours)

Trajan's Markets (Mercati di Traiano), built against the Quirinal Hill above the Forum of Trajan, are a vast brick complex from the early 2nd century, attributed to the architect Apollodorus of Damascus. Since 2007 they have housed the Museum of the Imperial Forums, which displays the marbles and decoration of the forums of Caesar, Augustus, Nerva and Trajan and of the Temple of Peace. It is one of the few places where you walk through Roman buildings that still have their roofs, over several floors, with a view down onto the forums, a short walk from the [Monti](/fr/articles/monti-rome) district. The site is open daily from 09:30 to 19:30 (last entry 18:30); a ticket costs €15 for non-residents when no temporary exhibition is on, and entry is free for residents of Rome. Allow 1h30 to 2 hours for the visit.

Highlights

The Great Hemicycle

The semicircular façade, pierced with arches, follows the curve of the exedra of the Forum of Trajan, which it overlooks. Long presented as a shopping centre, hence their modern name of "markets", these buildings are now mostly interpreted by scholars as offices of the imperial administration. Above them, the Torre delle Milizie, raised in the Middle Ages, can be seen up close from the museum route.

The Great Hall

The museum is entered through the Grande Aula, a hall 32 metres by 8 roofed with concrete vaults and lined with rooms on three levels. It holds a multimedia introduction to the Imperial Forums and the reconstruction of part of the attic of the porticoes of the Forum of Augustus.

The forum rooms

On the upper floors, each forum has its own section: sculpted decoration from the Forum of Caesar, marbles from the Temple of Mars Ultor and the porticoes of the Forum of Augustus, a room for the Forum of Nerva and the Temple of Peace. The museum combines original fragments, casts and reconstructions to show both the decoration and the way these buildings were constructed.

Via Biberatica

This Roman street paved with basalt runs through the complex between two rows of vaulted shops, whose travertine door frames survive. Its name, thought to come from the Latin biber (drink), is later than the buildings.

The terrace over the Forum of Trajan

At the end of the route, a terrace overlooks the Forum of Trajan: from above you can make out the square, the Basilica Ulpia, Trajan's Column between the sites of its two libraries, and the Great Hemicycle. The view then runs along Via dei Fori Imperiali towards the [Roman Forum](/fr/attractions/forum-romain) and the [Colosseum](/fr/attractions/colisee-rome).

Hours and prices

Daily from 09:30 to 19:30, last entry one hour before closing; closed 1 May and 25 December, closing at 14:00 on 24 and 31 December. When no temporary exhibition is on, the non-resident ticket costs €15 (reduced €9.50 for ages 6-25); during an exhibition it costs more (€19.50 and €14 during the Brâncuși exhibition from February to July 2026). Free for residents of Rome and the Metropolitan City (ID at the ticket desk), children under 6, disabled visitors and one companion, MIC card holders, and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month, such as 4 October 2026. Buy online or on 060608 with a €1 booking fee, tickets neither refundable nor changeable; no fee at the ticket desk on the day. The Roma Pass is accepted.

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