Basilica Aemilia
Basilica Aemilia
3.5
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Neighborhood: Campitelli
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- Fori Imperiali-Colosseo • 5 min walk
- Colosseo • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
37 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
12
Average
16
Poor
2
Terrible
0
ChiefGuru
Decatur, IN3,300 contributions
Jun 2019
In ancient Roman, a basilica was a public building, where courts were held, as well as serving other official and public functions. In the case of the Basilica Aemilia along the Via Sacra (main street of ancient Rome, leading from the top of the Capitoline Hill, through the Forum, to the Colosseum) on the North side of the Forum, this original grand structure is now only rudimentary ruins. The basilica originally filled the space between the Antoninus and Faustina Temple and the Curia Julia senate house. The plan can still be viewed to understand that this ancient building was ~330 feet long and ~100 feet wide. It was three stories tall, along the sides of the first and second floors were a series of arches (16 on first level and 14 on second level). Previous buildings on this site date to ~5th century B.C. Realizing that the original use of the land on which the Forum is located dates to ~700 B.C., visitors need to realize how much soil and debris accumulated as new was build above old. The depth of this old earth can be many dozens of feet deep. Thus, the ruins of the Basilica Aemilia are well above the remnants of previous buildings on the site. The original basilica was erected in 179 B.C. by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (after whom the basilica is named). However, it was completely rebuilt and further modified in subsequent years, most recently by Emperor Augustus in 14 B.C. (after a fire) and again in 22 A.D. In times going by, Basilica Aemilia was considered to be one of the most beautiful in Rome. The remains of the basilica Aemilia have been (for the most part) revealed by recent excavations. There are some remains, including a column base which probably belongs to the earliest period of the basilica. Although not much exists to "see" this basilica, I found it interesting to understand the history of this building and imagine its original glory.
Written September 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CodyMav
Gold Coast, Australia27,277 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
These ruins of a Roman civic hall are fairly strewn, but stop and concentrate and you can make out the outlines
Written December 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuperTed19
Madison, WI751 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
There are bits and pieces, with more being uncovered during the slow process of digging through thousands of years of history. Like many locations, this one is not as sexy as The Colosseum or the Pantheon. Having said that, it’s these smaller sites that help to provide the full scope of ancient Roman history.
Written July 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Love2Wander
Parry Sound, Canada948 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
I was surprised to see do many “average” reviews as history is slowly being uncovered here by archeologists. While much of this basilica is ruins, you can see the notes and numbered artifacts by archeologists. If you’re into archeology and/or history, I think you’ll find this place impressive!
Written May 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FTMDave
Adria, Italy7,625 contributions
Jun 2021
Remains of a Roman civic hall, part of the Roman Forum. It stood three storeys high, but now only ruins remain.
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kwagmeister
Newburgh, IN1,641 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The work of excavating the Roman ruins around the colosseum and the forum continues, and this site, though centuries old, is fascinating. You cannot walk along the ruins of this particular area, despite the Forum being literally over the wall, but it’s worth a good look.
Turn around and across the several lanes of traffic are more ruins — of one of the first shopping malls in the world. Seriously.
Cross the street and look at the Egyptian obelisk and the other ruins. This is an incredible site.
Turn around and across the several lanes of traffic are more ruins — of one of the first shopping malls in the world. Seriously.
Cross the street and look at the Egyptian obelisk and the other ruins. This is an incredible site.
Written July 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daffystjob
Manchester, UK809 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
With so much to see at the Roman Forum, small standing walls can seem insignificant, to me, the collapsed building can have so much charm. Many tourist avoid this little path past the Basilica Emilia and it is their loss. The damaged columns, damaged and slain, their importance apparently lost to many, filled me with a mix of loss and charisma. I loved this little stretch of the Forum.
Written March 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IOANNIS G
Fira, Greece46 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
Nice view - ideal for photography.Only passing through.Many better places to visit.Don t stay too long.
Written November 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoCalOregonian
Murrieta, CA10,355 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Basilica Aemilia is located within the Roman Forum between the Curia Julia and Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. As with many other buildings here it lays in ruins with just the footprint and a few fragments to document is existence.
Written June 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
@JT3AZ
Phoenix, Arizona4,937 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Basilica Emilia was built in 179 BC in the northwestern end of the Forum (right next to Antoninus and Faustian Temple). The structure was over 300ft long and 100ft wide. Destroyed and rebuilt several times during ancient Rome, the building was finally toppled in a mid-800 AD earthquake. Today, it is most ruins with pieces scattered about and some low walls with arched doors. You can find some pieces of the old marble floor with fire damage. The 'footprint' of the building is easily seen so you can imagine the size of the building.
Written April 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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