The Best-Preserved Roman buildings & structures

“All roads lead to Rome.” This proverb has a very practical origin. In the Roman Empire, all major paved roads either led to or originated from Rome. After all, the Romans built these roads to control their vast territory and facilitate extensive trade.

But the Romans were far from just skilled road builders. Many impressive structures from the Roman era can still be visited today, or at least their ruins can be explored. At the very top of this list, of course, is the Colosseum, which is rightly the city’s most popular attraction.

For those interested in ancient Rome, there are numerous other architectural highlights in and around Rome that are well worth a visit. In this article, we showcase the most fascinating structures you can still see today. There are so many that you could easily spend an entire week immersing yourself in the world of ancient Rome.

The cultural, political, and economic center of cities in the Roman Empire was the Forum. In Rome, it was the Forum Romanum (Roman Forum). Today, its former grandeur can only be imagined, but even that is impressive enough.

Good to know: Colosseum tickets almost always include access to the Forum Romanum.

During the Roman Empire, the Forum Romanum housed Rome’s courts, trade exchanges, market halls for large merchants, and numerous temples, statues, and palaces of the ruling elites.

Some triumphal arches have also been preserved to this day, including the Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus, and the Arch of Septimius Severus.

While the Palatine Hill itself is not a structure in the traditional sense, its location made it the site of residences and palaces for various Roman emperors during the Roman Empire. It first became the imperial residence under Emperor Augustus. The House of Augustus and the House of Livia (his wife) can still be partially visited today.

The Palatine Hill is also included in Colosseum tickets. For detailed information about the Palatine Hill, both past and present, check out our article on the Palatine Hill.

The Circus Maximus was, and still is, known as the largest “stadium” of the Roman Empire, with a capacity of up to 250,000 spectators—a feat unmatched even by the largest modern football stadiums.

The Circus Maximus was primarily built for the spectacular chariot races of the Romans.

Today, only a few parts of the original structure remain. However, it is now possible to experience the Circus Maximus almost “live” on-site using virtual reality. For more information about this tour and the Circus Maximus, check out this article.

The Pantheon is one of the most famous structures of ancient Rome, although its original purpose remains unclear to this day.

The Pantheon was likely started during the reign of Emperor Trajan, on the Field of Mars outside the ancient city gates of Rome. It was completed under his successor, Emperor Hadrian, between 125 and 128 AD.

During ancient Rome, the Pantheon was primarily used as a religious site, though there is little evidence as to which Greek gods it was dedicated to. Historians speculate that it may have originally been intended for political purposes, as its design is unusual for religious sites of that time. However, this cannot be definitively proven.

Since around 609 AD, the Pantheon has served as a Christian church, following its donation by Emperor Phocas to Pope Boniface IV. This religious history is likely the reason the Pantheon remains so well-preserved today.

The Pantheon is open for visitors, and skip-the-line tickets are available here.

The Theater of Marcellus was built over 80 years before the Colosseum and partially served as a model for the famous amphitheater, a resemblance that is still evident today.

With a capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 spectators, it was one of the largest ancient theaters in Rome. The construction was initiated by Julius Caesar and completed by Emperor Augustus, who dedicated it to his nephew Marcellus.

During the Roman Empire, the Teatro di Marcello hosted concerts and theatrical performances. In the Middle Ages, the theater was repurposed into residential and commercial spaces. To this day, it is used as a residential building, and during the summer, it hosts concerts organized by music schools and cultural institutions.

The Theater of Marcellus can only be viewed from the outside, as visits inside are not permitted.

The Baths of Caracalla (Thermae Antoninianae) are a highlight of ancient Rome. Built around 216 AD, they housed the largest bathing facilities in ancient Rome.

However, the baths were much more than just “public bathhouses.” They included baths, sauna areas, sports rooms, and wellness spaces. The Baths of Caracalla were one of the most magnificent structures of the Roman Empire, lavishly adorned with marble, mosaics, stucco, and statues.

The baths had their own water supply via a dedicated branch of the Aqua Marcia aqueduct, known as the Aqua Antoniniana. They remained in operation until around 537 AD.

The Baths of Caracalla were accessible to all Roman citizens free of charge. Historians believe that this grand bath complex, located on the outskirts of Rome in a relatively poor area, was built to boost the emperor’s popularity among the people.

Tickets and guided tours can be found here.

The Aqua Virgo is one of 11 aqueducts that once supplied the city of Rome with water. However, it is the only one that has remained in continuous operation to this day. Now known as the Acqua Vergine or Acqua di Trevi, it supplies water to, among other things, the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome.

The Aqua Virgo was inaugurated in 19 BC as the sixth aqueduct of Rome. The waterway is approximately 20 km long, with most of it running underground. Only the last 2 kilometers in Rome were constructed in the iconic above-ground arch form typical of Roman aqueducts.

“All Roads Lead to Rome”

As mentioned earlier, in the Roman Empire, all (important) roads indeed led to Rome. This extensive and well-fortified road network was an incredible Roman achievement that enabled trade with their vast territories. Some of these ancient roads can still be admired in the city today.

The Via Appia Antica represents the course of the ancient Via Appia, which was started over 300 years before Christ and remains part of Italy’s important long-distance road network.

The Via Appia Antica is often referred to as the “longest museum in the world” due to the many historical structures and tombs along its route. Tombs were prominent because burials within the city walls were generally prohibited.

The original Via Appia connected Rome to the city of Capua, approximately 200 kilometers away. At the time, this was a significant milestone, as the journey was reduced to just 5–6 days. Around 190 BC, the Via Appia was extended to Brundisium (modern-day Brindisi), which became a crucial trade hub for slaves and goods from the East.

The first milestone of the Via Appia can be found in Rome at the Porta San Sebastiano. Along the Via Appia, you will find numerous tombs and catacombs that can be visited, as well as the Villa Quintili, the residence of Emperor Commodus, which is also open to visitors.

A bike tour is recommended for discovering the Via Appia, as it is simply too long for a casual walk. There are numerous guided bike tours available, including leisurely e-bike options. You can find more information here.

Rome is home to more than 60 catacombs where the dead were buried, many of which are still well-preserved today. Interestingly, this burial practice was adopted by the Christian population of Rome from the Jewish community.

The catacombs were built on multiple underground levels because they were not allowed to exceed the above-ground boundaries of the area.

Several catacombs are open to the public and can be visited. The most famous ones are located along the Via Appia Antica, Via Salaria, and Via Labicana:

• Sebastian Catacomb, Calixtus Catacomb, and Domitilla Catacomb (Via Appia Antica)
• Marcellinus and Peter Catacomb (on the old Via Labicana, now Via Casilina)
• Agnes Catacomb (Via Nomentana)
• Priscilla Catacomb (Via Salaria)

Located 30 kilometers from Rome’s city center, Ostia Antica is the archaeological site of ancient Ostia. During its prime in the Roman Empire, the harbor city was situated directly by the sea.

The city was founded in the 7th century BC during the Roman Kingdom era as a trade and military base. By the 2nd century AD, Ostia had a population of 75,000–100,000. The harbor housed massive granaries that ensured the supply of food for Rome’s population.

Ostia’s port also served as the entry point for wild animals from Africa, which were later used in spectacles at the Colosseum.

The Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica is a popular destination for history enthusiasts. You can reach Ostia Antica from Rome in about 30 minutes by car or approximately 45 minutes by public transport.

Visiting Ostia Antica

• Opening Days: Tuesday–Sunday
• Tickets: Available for online purchase.

There are numerous day trips and half-day excursions from Rome to Ostia Antica. Alternatively, you can use the Roma Pass (which includes 1 or 2 attractions) for access to Ostia Antica. The Roma Pass also includes public transport.

Tip: Ostia Antica is a highlight in itself, with numerous attractions. It’s worth dedicating enough time—perhaps an entire day—to explore. For those interested, the day can end just a short distance away at the beach of Ostia (Ostia Lido).