The Basilica Ulpia 2

The Basilica Ulpia 2

View looking east at the Basilica Ulpia that was located at the west end of the Form of Trajan.  Notice the two rows of columns of the Basilica.  Between them was the broad central nave. A few portions of the marble floor are preserved. On this near-side of the near row of columns, note the red and white markers and the nearby column bases.  This is the area where two narrow naves were located.


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.

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