Trajan’s Markets - Imperial Fora, Rome - The Great Hemicycle of Ancient Rome

The sweeping brick façade of Trajan’s Markets forms the Great Hemicycle above the archaeological remains of the Imperial Fora in central Rome.

Trajan’s Markets form one of the most remarkable surviving architectural complexes of imperial Rome and rise directly above Trajan’s Forum at the foot of the Quirinal Hill. In this photograph, the Great Hemicycle dominates the scene with its long curved façade of brick arches, windows and vaulted spaces arranged across several levels. The complex was constructed together with Trajan’s Forum in the early 2nd century AD and served a mixture of administrative, commercial and service functions connected with the monumental forum below. The buildings were carefully adapted to the steep slope of the Quirinal, creating a sophisticated multi-level urban structure unlike the open squares of the fora themselves. Scattered columns, paving stones and architectural fragments in the foreground reveal the archaeological remains of the surrounding Imperial Fora, while the towering brickwork behind demonstrates the scale and complexity of Roman engineering in the age of Emperor Trajan.