Basilica Ulpia Archaeological Site

Address: Trajan’s Forum (Foro Traiano), Rome, Italy

Website: https://parcocolosseo.it

Hours: Daily (times vary seasonally)

Admission: Included with Colosseum/Forum ticket (check site for current adult price)

The Basilica Ulpia was the principal civic basilica in Trajan’s Forum in ancient Rome, constructed in the early 2nd century AD under Emperor Trajan. It served as a large public hall for legal proceedings, administrative business and imperial functions.

The basilica was part of the Trajanic building programme and was associated with imperial architecture and planning in the heart of Rome. It featured a long nave flanked by aisles and apses, and looked onto the forum and Trajan’s Column.

Built during Trajan’s rule, the structure formed an integral part of the forum complex designed for civic use and imperial display; it has been documented by ancient sources and archaeological remains. What survives today are foundations and fragments within the area of Trajan’s Market and the Imperial Fora.

The site sits in central Rome in the Trajan’s Forum area, with visible archaeological remains adjacent to the Via dei Fori Imperiali.

• Remains location: Part of Trajan’s Forum complex in Rome, the basilica formed a major civic and judicial space in the Imperial forum ensemble. Remains are visible near Trajan’s Market and the Via dei Fori Imperiali.

The remains of Basilica Ulpia are in Trajan’s Forum (Foro di Traiano) off Via dei Fori Imperiali in central Rome, adjacent to Trajan’s Column and close to Piazza Venezia. It is within easy walking distance of the Colosseo area; you can walk from Colosseo metro (Line B) or from Roma Termini, or take a short taxi to the forum area.

• See the Basilica Ulpia as part of a combined visit to the Roman Forums and Trajan's Market-it's best appreciated with a ticket that covers the Forums so you can view the site from multiple vantage points.
• Go early or late in the day to avoid the busiest hours when large tour groups pack the main forum areas and to get clearer sightseeing photos of the remaining foundations.
• Don't skip Trajan's Market (Museo dei Fori Imperiali), where elevated viewpoints and displays give a clearer sense of the basilica's original layout-many visitors only look at the ruins at ground level.