Secret Rome: Basilica Ulpia, Trajan's Forum and contemporary art at FOROF

The Secret Rome at FOROF visit is a guided experience at the heart of Trajan's Forum that takes you beneath the Basilica Ulpia, into a space where archaeology, video and contemporary art engage in continuous dialogue. In a single route you move through the foyer, the archaeological area and the exhibition hall, accompanied by light, sound, text and images that tell the story of ancient Rome and reinterpret it through current artistic languages.

What you will discover in the secret Rome beneath the Basilica Ulpia

Starting from the contemporary space of FOROF, you descend to the archaeological level where the polychrome marbles and original structures of the Basilica Ulpia reemerge - one of the largest civic basilicas of ancient Rome. Video and narration guide you through the transformation of the Imperial Fora area, while a 3D video reconstruction helps you visualize the basilica as it appeared in the imperial era.

A dialogue between past and present

The visit lasts approximately and takes place in small groups. A guide accompanies you through archaeological remains, multimedia content and contemporary art installations that reinterpret the space and its memory. It is a different way to experience the Imperial Fora - not only visually, but also through sound, text, scent and light, in an intimate environment where every detail has been carefully considered.

Secret Rome: Basilica Ulpia and FOROF

  • Trajan's Forum and Basilica Ulpia
  • Archaeological area and contemporary art
  • thumbnail basilica ulpia
  • thumbnail contemporary art
  • thumbnail modern art
  • thumbnail documentary film
  • thumbnail contemporary and modern art
  • thumbnail colosseum vertical

What You'll Do

With this Secret Rome experience at Trajan's Forum you enter the FOROF space, a place that brings together in a single route an archaeological area, images, sounds and contemporary art. After the welcome in the foyer, you begin a journey that takes you beneath the Basilica Ulpia, where the remains of imperial Rome engage with installations and multimedia content designed to bring the past to life in an immersive way.

The guide will help you interpret the historical context of the Imperial Fora, accompany you among the ancient marbles that have resurfaced below the modern street level and explain the cultural project of FOROF, founded precisely to connect archaeology and contemporary artistic research. The route includes video content on ancient Rome, a 3D reconstruction of the Basilica Ulpia and an itinerary through artworks that reinterpret the space through current artistic languages.

The visit takes place in a small group and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. It is an indoor activity with a strong sensory dimension thanks to the use of light, sound, text and sometimes scents inspired by ancient Rome. It is a perfect experience if you want to deepen your knowledge of the city's history beyond the most tourist-heavy routes and see up close a section of underground Rome that is often overlooked.

Tour Information
  • Tour schedule: - (multiple time slots available)
  • Places visited: FOROF space at Trajan's Forum, archaeological area beneath the Basilica Ulpia, exhibition hall with contemporary art installations, video content and 3D reconstruction dedicated to ancient Rome
  • Duration:
  • Departure point: FOROF, Foro Traiano 1, Rome (Piazza Venezia / Imperial Fora area)
  • Arrival point: Same FOROF space, returning to the foyer after the underground route
  • Available languages: Italian and English; other languages depending on schedule and guide availability
  • Group size: Small groups (max 20 people) to ensure a more intimate experience and better understanding of the explanations
Experience Highlights
  • Access to a stretch of underground Rome beneath the Basilica Ulpia at Trajan's Forum
  • Guided route through floors, marbles and archaeological remains of imperial Rome
  • Video content on the history of the area and the transformation of the Imperial Fora
  • 3D reconstruction of the Basilica Ulpia that helps you picture the spaces as they once were
  • Dialogue between archaeology and contemporary art in the installations hosted by FOROF
  • Small-group experience in the very heart of historic Rome, steps from Piazza Venezia
Practical Information
  • Wear closed, comfortable shoes suitable for stairs and ancient flooring
  • Recommended to arrive 10-15 minutes before the time stated on your ticket
  • Indoor activity involving stairs and occasionally uneven surfaces
  • Bring your booking confirmation (printed or digital) and a valid ID
  • For specific mobility requirements, contact the organizer in advance

Itinerary

How to reach the meeting point
car icon for private transfers to central Rome
Private Transfer
Service reserved for MiTuCasa guests
  • Check availability with the manager of your vacation rental
Cost details
Introduction to the experience

On arrival at FOROF, at Foro Traiano 1, the staff will welcome you in the foyer and introduce you to the cultural project, the history of the Basilica Ulpia and the meaning of the dialogue between archaeology and contemporary art. The various stages of the visit are explained along with a few simple practical guidelines to follow during the route, particularly in the underground areas.

Before descending into the archaeological area you'll watch some introductive videos about the transformation of the Imperial Fora area and the role of the Basilica Ulpia in the public life of ancient Rome. This is the moment when the historical keys of interpretation are provided, giving you the background needed to better understand what you will see in person beneath the modern street level.

You'll descend with the guide to the archaeological level, where ancient floors, stone blocks and polychrome marbles that once belonged to the Basilica Ulpia reappear. Here, you**'ll** clearly perceive the difference in elevation compared to modern Rome, and observe up close the materials and structures that speak to the original layout of the great Trajanic complex.

Inside the underground space you**'ll** watch a 3D reconstruction of the Basilica Ulpia accompanied by audio and text content that'll help you imagine how the building must have appeared in the imperial era. This is a highly engaging section, in which technology supports the archaeological site to convey the proportions, functions and details of the basilica in a clear and immediate way.

As you'll return toward the exhibition space, you'll move through the section of the visit dedicated to contemporary art. The selected works are designed to enter into dialogue with the site and its history, creating connections between the language of today's artists and the memory of ancient Rome. The guide helps you read those connections and references without ever losing sight of the archaeological context.

The visit concludes with a return to the FOROF foyer, where you can ask questions, explore historical or artistic aspects in greater depth and, depending on the format, enjoy a small drink or coffee. It is the ideal moment to process what you have seen and to ask the guide about other Rome locations worth visiting if you are interested in exploring the city beyond its most classic routes.

Included and Not Included

Included
  • Entry to FOROF and access to the archaeological area beneath the Basilica Ulpia
  • Small-group guided tour with a guide expert in history and art
  • Video content and narration dedicated to the history of the Imperial Fora area
  • 3D reconstruction and multimedia content on the Basilica Ulpia
  • Route through selected contemporary art installations
  • Closing Q&A moment with the guide, with a small refreshment if included in the selected package
Not Included
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point at Foro Traiano 1
  • Meals or additional refreshments beyond those included in the visit
  • Other guided tours in the Imperial Fora area not included in the FOROF program
  • Personal travel insurance or additional coverage not provided
  • Participation for those unable to manage stairs or uneven flooring without prior verification

Some Rules

Booking Policy

Advance booking is strongly recommended, as group sizes are limited and availability can fill up on busier days. At the time of booking you will need to specify the number of participants and confirm the language of the visit.

Present your booking confirmation (digital or printed) along with a valid ID. If you arrive late you may not be able to join the group once the experience has started, and no refund will be issued under the provider's terms.

Cancellation Policy
  • Cancellation with advance notice: A refund or date change is generally available if the cancellation is made within the deadline stated at booking (for example, 48 hours before the start time).
  • Cancellation beyond the threshold: Cancellations made after the stated deadline may be non-refundable. Always check the specific terms on your voucher.
  • Late arrivals: The visit starts at the scheduled time. Latecomers risk being unable to join the group and no refunds are issued for delays attributable to the participant.
  • Possible program changes: In the event of organizational or technical requirements, staff may make minor adjustments to the route while preserving the essence of the experience.
Rules During the Visit

- Always follow the guide's and staff's instructions, especially in underground areas and near steps.

- Do not touch archaeological finds, ancient surfaces or contemporary artworks unless expressly permitted.

- Maintain a respectful tone of voice and show consideration for other participants and the exhibition space.

- Respect any photography and video restrictions indicated by the guide.

- If you feel unwell or have difficulty with stairs and flooring, inform the guide immediately so the route can be adapted or assistance provided.