The Basilica of Maxentius

The Basilica of Maxentius is the last and the most important building constructed in this area in Imperial times. It was begun by the Emperor Maxentius but finished by Constantine. It occupied the site of ancient warehouses built to store pepper and other spices.

This huge building, of which only the north side now remains, consisted of a large central nave 35 meters high – as high as a 12-storey building today- flanked by 2 smaller intercommunicating wings covered with enormous coffered vaulted ceilings. In one of the halls there was a huge statue of Constantine, parts of which –head, arms, legs- are on show today in the Palazzo dei Conservatori on the Capitoline Hill. The bronze of the rest of the statue was melted and reused.
Proceed now along the ancient Roman street towards the Arch of Titus where you will find the entrance to the Palatine. This is the hill where, on April 21, 753BC, Romulus traced out the walls to surround the city he had founded.