Archaeological Site
The Forum
Pompeii · Campania
QUICK INFORMATION
- CATEGORY
- Archaeological Site
- COUNTRY
- Italy
- REGION
- Pompeii · Campania
- DURATION
- Half a day – 1 day
ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION
The Forum was the civic centre of Roman Pompeii, the paved square around which the town’s public life was organised. It is a long rectangle surrounded by the Temple of Jupiter, the Temple of Apollo, the basilica (the law court), the municipal buildings and the food market, with Mount Vesuvius rising behind it to the north. It was the political, religious and commercial heart of the city, and it is the natural starting point for a visit, because from it the main streets — the Via dell’Abbondanza, the Via di Mercurio — run out to the rest of the site. The columns that frame the square and the temple fronts behind them are the most complete Roman forum view anywhere.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The story behind it
The Forum took shape in the 2nd century BC and was rebuilt in the early imperial period, after Pompeii became a Roman colony in 80 BC. The Temple of Jupiter, at the north end, was converted from a Greek-style temple to a Roman one in the 1st century BC; the basilica, beside it, was built around 150 BC and is one of the oldest known Roman basilicas. The Forum was the centre of public life until the earthquake of AD 62, which damaged much of the city, and the eruption of AD 79 buried it under several metres of ash and pumice, where it lay until the 18th-century excavations.
WHAT TO SEE
What to see here
The Temple of Jupiter — the temple at the north end of the Forum, with Vesuvius rising behind it.
The basilica — the law court, one of the oldest known Roman basilicas, with its surviving columns.
The Temple of Apollo — the temple beside the Forum, with its columned portico.
The food market — the macellum, the covered food market off the Forum.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters
The Forum is the centre of Roman Pompeii and the place that orients the whole site — the square from which the streets run out, and the one that shows the layout of a Roman town most clearly. For a visitor, it is the natural first stop, and the view of the temple columns with Vesuvius behind is the single image that most defines the site.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you go
MAP & LOCATION
The Forum
The Forum, Pompeii, Campania, Italy
40.7497, 14.4878
MORE ATTRACTIONS
More to see in Pompeii
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THINGS TO DO
Things to do nearby
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat nearby
Forum — a restaurant near the Pompeii entrance, for a quick pasta and a glass of Lacryma Christi wine
President — a long-standing restaurant near the ruins, for classic Campanian cooking, book ahead
Kytta — a pizzeria near the Pompeii Scavi station, for a pizza after the ruins
Villa dei Misteri — a restaurant and wine bar near the Villa dei Misteri entrance, for the local Vesuvius wines
Lupanar Burger — a casual burger and beer spot near the entrance, for a quick meal
HOTELS & STAYS
Where to stay nearby
Hotel Forum — a hotel in modern Pompei town, near the ruins, with a rooftop and a restaurant
Hotel Vittoria — a hotel near the Pompeii entrance, with a garden and views of Vesuvius
Hotel Maiuri — a comfortable hotel near the ruins, named after the archaeologist Amedeo Maiuri
Resort & Winery Villa dei Misteri — a vineyard stay near the ruins, with Vesuvius wines and a restaurant
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
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INTERESTS
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