Trajan’s Markets - Rome, Italy - Ancient Brickwork above the Forum

The sweeping Great Hemicycle of Trajan’s Markets rises above the archaeological remains beside Trajan’s Forum in the heart of ancient Rome.

The Great Hemicycle of Trajan’s Markets forms the striking curved brick structure overlooking the eastern side of Trajan’s Forum in central Rome. Built in the early 2nd century AD as part of the vast redevelopment associated with Emperor Trajan’s forum, the complex was constructed against the excavated slopes of the Quirinal Hill. Its distinctive semicircular design followed the shape of the adjoining exedra of Trajan’s Forum while providing an ingenious architectural solution for supporting the hillside. The lower level contained a series of shallow rooms behind characteristic brick-fronted openings, while additional corridors and rooms occupied the floors above. In this photograph, archaeological remains and fragments in the foreground lead toward the long arc of Roman brickwork, with later buildings rising behind it. The layered scene illustrates particularly well how ancient, medieval and modern Rome have developed around the surviving structures of the Imperial Fora.