Museo e Foro Romano (Roman Forum and Archaeological Museum), Assisi
Nestled on the corner of Assisi's Town Hall Square, near the historic Seminary Arch ("Arco del Seminario") – the ancient limit of the walled city in the Roman era – lies this fascinating museum that acts as a time machine to Roman times. It is housed within the crypt of the former San Niccolò church, dating back to 1097, but demolished in 1926 to make room for the medieval-style post office building.
The museum features a passage that runs beneath Town Hall Square, where ongoing excavations seek to uncover more Roman remains. While the underground maze may seem bewildering at first glance, scholars now believe it to be not the old Roman Forum, as previously thought, but rather a religious sanctuary linked to the Temple of Minerva. Some speculate that the Forum may have occupied the site of the present-day Cathedral instead. Amidst the labyrinth, visitors can marvel at fragments of statues, pillars, busts, urns, and other Roman and Etruscan relics, each imbued with a sense of mystery in their subterranean setting.
All in all, it's a captivating way to spend 30 minutes, especially if you download the accompanying app for some insightful audio information. Truly, understanding what lies beneath adds a whole new layer to appreciating the town center!
The museum features a passage that runs beneath Town Hall Square, where ongoing excavations seek to uncover more Roman remains. While the underground maze may seem bewildering at first glance, scholars now believe it to be not the old Roman Forum, as previously thought, but rather a religious sanctuary linked to the Temple of Minerva. Some speculate that the Forum may have occupied the site of the present-day Cathedral instead. Amidst the labyrinth, visitors can marvel at fragments of statues, pillars, busts, urns, and other Roman and Etruscan relics, each imbued with a sense of mystery in their subterranean setting.
All in all, it's a captivating way to spend 30 minutes, especially if you download the accompanying app for some insightful audio information. Truly, understanding what lies beneath adds a whole new layer to appreciating the town center!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Assisi. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Museo e Foro Romano (Roman Forum and Archaeological Museum) on Map
Sight Name: Museo e Foro Romano (Roman Forum and Archaeological Museum)
Sight Location: Assisi, Italy (See walking tours in Assisi)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Assisi, Italy (See walking tours in Assisi)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Assisi, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Assisi
Creating your own self-guided walk in Assisi is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Assisi Introduction Walking Tour
Assisi is located on the western slope of Mount Subasio. It is 1,300 feet above sea level, overlooking the rivers Topino and Chiasicio. It is a walled city with narrow, twisting streets and alleys. It originally was known as Assisium. Successively Umbrian, Etruscan and Roman, it became a Ghibelline commune in the 11th century.
There were clashes with Guelph Perugia. In the battle of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
There were clashes with Guelph Perugia. In the battle of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
St. Francis' Assisi Walking Tour
A holy city for Christians, Assisi has been an eternal destination of pilgrimage since the 13th century for those venerating Saint Francis and wanting to the see where he was born, worked, died and was buried. As the birthplace of one of Catholicism’s most revered saints (and one of Italy's two saintly patrons), Assisi holds religion very close to its heart.
The entire city-sanctuary –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The entire city-sanctuary –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles