Colosseum & Roman Forum

The archaeological area of ​​the Fori Imperiali extends along the homonymous street, between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, and borders the Roman Forum complex. According to ancient tradition, on the Palatine was the first settlement of the city of Rome, founded around the middle of the 8th century BC and attributed to Romulus. The excavations have brought to light the remains of huts and tombs from the Iron Age and, recently, the oldest fortification, which dates back to the 8th century BC. The Palatine was the seat of some important city cults, such as that of the Magna Mater (Cybele) and, between the II and the I century BC became the residential district of the Roman aristocracy. The Casa dei Grifi, famous for its paintings, dates from this period.