Trajan's Column, Rome

Name: Trajan's Column
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali, Rome, 00187, Italy
Telephone: +39 06 0608

#31 among attractions in Rome

Monuments and statues, Top attraction

Gallery (20)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Mattis / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Artix Kreiger 2 / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Butko / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Notafly / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Camelia.boban / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Cezarika1 / URL

Facts and practical information

Trajan's Column stands as a monumental tribute to the Roman Emperor Trajan and his military victories in the Dacian Wars. Located in the heart of Rome, Italy, this towering marble pillar reaches a height of approximately 30 meters (98 feet), excluding its pedestal. The column was constructed in 113 AD and has since become an iconic symbol of the Eternal City.

The statue itself is a masterpiece of Roman art and engineering. Its most distinctive feature is the continuous frieze that winds up around the column in a spiral. This band of relief sculptures is an exquisite visual narrative, depicting the Roman army's fierce battles and the emperor's triumphs in Dacia, modern-day Romania. The intricate carvings serve not only as a historical record but also as propaganda, celebrating the might and virtues of the Roman Empire under Trajan's rule.

Originally, a statue of Trajan stood atop the column, but it was lost in the Middle Ages. In 1587, under the orders of Pope Sixtus V, it was replaced by a statue of St. Peter, which still crowns the column today.

Trajan's Column is not only a testament to Rome's imperial past but also a technical wonder for its time. The interior of the column houses a spiral staircase, leading to a viewing platform at the top. This hidden feature allowed ancient visitors to ascend and marvel at the panoramic views of Rome, much like the observation decks of modern monuments.

Local name: Colonna Traiana Coordinates: 41°53'45"N, 12°29'3"E

Address

Via dei Fori ImperialiMontiRome 00187 Italy

Contact

+39 06 0608

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Day trips

Trajan's Column – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Altare della Patria, Trajan's Market, Imperial fora, Basilica of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli.

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White marble memorial monument
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Trajan's Market, Rome
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Trajan's Column open?

Trajan's Column is open:

Monday 24h
Tuesday 24h
Wednesday 24h
Thursday 24h
Friday 24h
Saturday 24h
Sunday 24h

Which popular attractions are close to Trajan's Column?

Nearby attractions include Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano Church, Rome (1 min walk), Cloaca Maxima, Rome (1 min walk), Santa Maria di Loreto, Rome (1 min walk), Palazzo Valentini, Rome (2 min walk).

How to get to Trajan's Column by public transport?

The nearest stations to Trajan's Column:

Bus

Fori Imperiali/Campidoglio • Lines: 118, 51, 85, 87 (2 min walk)
P.za Venezia • Lines: 117, 118, 160, 170, 40, 46, 51, 60, 63, 64, 70, 80, 83, 85, 916, 916F, H, n12, n15, n18, n19, n20, n25, n3, n4, n6, n7, n8, n9 (4 min walk)

Tram

Venezia • Lines: 8 (5 min walk)
Arenula/Min. G. Giustizia • Lines: 8 (14 min walk)

Metro

Colosseo • Lines: B (13 min walk)
Cavour • Lines: B (13 min walk)

Ferry

Isola Tiberina • Lines: Battelli di Roma (15 min walk)
Ponte Cavour (20 min walk)

Trolleybus

XX Settembre/Min. Finanze • Lines: 90 (24 min walk)
Volturno/Cernaia • Lines: 90 (26 min walk)

Train

Roma Termini (26 min walk)

Light rail

Roma Termini • Lines: Fl6, Fl7 (26 min walk)
Termini Laziali • Lines: Fc1 (30 min walk)