The Basilica Ulpia and Column of Trajan

Photo Comments

View looking northwest at the Basilica Ulpia that was located at the west end of the Form of Trajan.  In the foreground, on the right, the flat open area is the space where the huge central apse of the Basilica was located.  Notice the nine columns that have been erected.  To the left of them, there were two narrow naves.  All of this was covered, including the wide span of the central apse. To the left is the prominent Column of Trajan that was located outside of, and west of, the Basilica.

Part of this huge Basilica was in the area in the upper right of the image and is still buried under the street and the building with the balloon poster on it.  And some of it is buried under the Via dei Fori Imperiali, which is behind the spot from which this picture was taken.

The Basilica was named after Trajan whose full name was Marcus Ulpius Traianus who paid for it out of his personal wealth.

The Basilica was oriented northwest to southeast with the three main entrances from the east, from the Forum of Trajan.  It consisted of four side aisles—two on each side—and a wide central nave.  The Basilica Ulpia was 560 ft. long and 195 ft. wide and 130 ft. tall.  It provided space for civil and penal law courts as well as royal events. A few portions of the marble floor are preserved.