Why was Via dei Fori Imperiali built in Rome?

Via dei Fori Imperiali is a straight road in central Rome running from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum. Built in 1932, its creation was intended to rediscover and showcase the ancient Imperial fora hidden beneath existing buildings. Today, the street is lined with stone pines and remains a key location for archaeological excavations and metro station developments.

What we know

• Via dei Fori Imperiali runs in a straight line from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum. [2]
• The road was constructed in 1932 to make visible the ancient Imperial fora and Trajan's Market. [2]
• The thoroughfare is lined with stone pines and features new archaeological excavations since the 1990s. [2]
• The entrances for Line C of the Colosseo metro station are located on either side of Via dei Fori Imperiali. [4]

Where to go next

• a case in pointWhat was the original purpose of Trajan's Market?
• how we knowHow does the Colosseo metro station connect to the area's history?
• whereWhat monuments are located around Piazza Venezia?
• what caused itHow did urban planning in Rome change during the 1930s?
• the bigger pictureWhat are the Imperial fora of ancient Rome?
• an unexpected connectionHow do modern subway stations display ancient Roman history?The Colosseo metro station functions as an archaeo-station featuring a museum itinerary with wells, domus remains, and an oculus overlooking the Colosseum.

Sources

• [1]via dei Fori Imperiali (Wikidata Q1031951) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Via dei Fori Imperiali · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Trajan's Market · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Colosseo (Rome Metro) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Piazza Venezia · CC BY-SA 4.0