Next to the Colosseo, you will find Palatino (The Palatin Hill), where -according to the myth- the city of Rome was founded in 753 BC. The photo shows the ruins of the Terme di Settimio Severo, a bath complex for the whole settlement. Tip: Your ticket for the Colosseo is also valid here (and vice versa), so we recommend to do both Colloseo and Palatino on the same day!

This is the ancient stadium on the Palatine Hill. It was used for private games and events to entertain the emperors.

From the Palatine Hill you can get to the Foro Romano (Roman Forum). But before you decend into the forum, do not miss out the splendid views across the whole forum from the Palatine Hill!

The Roman Forum is situated in the valley between the Capitol Hills and the Palatine Hills. It was the center of the ancient world, its commerical, cultural, political and religious center. The first paved road (Via Sacra) is said to be built around 600 BC. The emperors and merchants added huge villas over time, potentially turning the place into an overloaded, kitschy town center.

This is a shot towards east. You can see the Arco di Tito (on the right), which is the entrance to the forum. To the left you see the Chiesa di Santa Francesca Romana, the oldest Christian church in the Roman Forum. The Colosseo can be seen in the back.

A closer view of the Arco di Settimio Severo (the Arch of Septimus Severus), surely one of the important triumphal arches in Rome. Built in 203 AD, it was a "Thank You" for emperor Septimus Severus who successfully beat the Parths, giving two decades of peace to the people.

Another photo of the Arch of Septimus Severus. Tourists are walking down Via Sacra towards the arch.

And the final shot of the arch. Please note that there is no admission fee for the Forum Romanum (just for Palatine Hills and Colosseum)!

This is the Tempio di Antonino e Faustina (Temple of Emperor Antoninus Pius and Faustina). If you watch closely, you can see marks at the top of the pillars. These were applied during the medieval times in order to adumbrate the pillars with ropes (which apparently did not work). In the 11th century the temple was renamed to Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Miranda, so don't be confused to see two names for this building.