Ancient Roman cattle market with historic temples and arches.

In short

What Foro Boario (Foro Boario) is

The Forum Boarium was ancient Rome's principal cattle market, situated between the Tiber River and the slopes of the Capitoline, Palatine, and Aventine hills. This area, once marshy, was drained by the Cloaca Maxima. At the heart of the Forum Boarium are two well-preserved temples: the circular Temple of Hercules Victor and the rectangular Temple of Portunus, both later converted into churches, aiding their preservation.

In addition to the temples, the Forum Boarium hosts the Fountain of the Tritons, created in Baroque style in 1715, and the Arch of Janus, the only surviving quadrifron arch in ancient Rome, dating back to the 4th century. These monuments provide a picturesque view toward the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and the surrounding hills.

The Forum Boarium is also noted as the site of Rome's first gladiatorial combat in 264 BCE, when Marcus and Decimus Junius Brutus honored their father with three pairs of gladiators. Today, the Forum Boarium is an open-air museum intertwining everyday trade, myths of Hercules, and early gladiatorial games.

Temple of Hercules Victor
Temple of Portunus
Fountain of the Tritons
Arch of Janus