Can you go inside the Curia Julia?

Usually yes. The Senate House is normally open to visitors with a ticket covering the Roman Forum, and the interior hall, marble floor and carved panels are the main reasons to step inside. It can close for maintenance or exhibition changes, so check the official Parco archeologico del Colosseo website on the day of your visit.

Is the Curia Julia where Julius Caesar was killed?

No. Caesar was killed in 44 BC at a meeting held in the Curia of Pompey, part of the Theatre of Pompey complex near today’s Largo di Torre Argentina. The Curia Julia in the Forum was still being built at that time and was completed later by Augustus, so it is a different building.

How long should you spend at the Curia Julia?

Fifteen to twenty minutes is enough to walk through the hall, look at the floor and reliefs, and see the Arch of Septimius Severus and speakers’ platform outside. If a temporary exhibition is on, allow a little longer. It pairs naturally with the Temple of Saturn at the same western end of the Forum.

Curia Julia: Inside the Senate House of Ancient Rome

Tall brick facade of the Curia Julia, the Senate House in the Roman Forum, under a cloudy sky — The plain brick Curia Julia survives almost to its full height because it was turned into a church.

What is the Curia Julia?

The Curia Julia is the tall brick building at the north-west corner of the Roman Forum where the Roman Senate met. Julius Caesar began it to replace an older senate house, and Augustus finished it in 29 BC, which is why it carries the Julian family name.

The building you see today is a later rebuilding by Emperor Diocletian after a fire in the late 3rd century. It is one of the few Forum buildings standing almost complete, so it is the best place to picture how a large Roman public hall felt.

Where the Senate House sits at the western end of the Forum. Orientation pins only, not a route. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Curia Julia beside the Arch of Septimius Severus seen across ruins of the Roman Forum — The Curia stands at the north-west corner of the Forum, next to the Arch of Septimius Severus.

Why does the Senate House survive so well?

In the 7th century the Curia was converted into the church of Sant’Adriano, and buildings that stayed in use were rarely stripped for stone. In the 1930s the later church additions were removed and the hall was restored to its ancient form.

The bronze doors at the entrance are a copy. The original ancient doors were moved in the 17th century to the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, where they still serve as the main doors.

Curia Julia at dusk with a church dome and the Vittoriano behind it — The Senate House at dusk, with the Temple of Saturn on the left and the Vittoriano on the right.

What can you see inside?

Inside is a single tall hall. Look down at the floor, a restored pattern of coloured marble in the late Roman style, and at the low steps along both long walls where senators’ seats were placed. At the far end is the base where the presiding magistrate sat.

The hall often displays the two carved marble panels known as the Plutei of Trajan, which show scenes of the emperor’s public acts in the Forum, and sometimes temporary exhibitions. What is on show can change, and the interior may close occasionally, so check the official park site.

What should you look for in a short stop?

Where	Look for
Entrance	Copy of the bronze doors (originals at St John Lateran)
Floor	Restored coloured marble pattern
Long walls	Low steps where senators’ seats stood
Displays	The Plutei of Trajan reliefs, when shown
Outside	The Arch of Septimius Severus and the speakers’ platform nearby

How does the Curia fit into a Forum visit?

The Curia is at the western end of the Forum, next to the Arch of Septimius Severus and a short walk from the Temple of Saturn. Allow fifteen to twenty minutes including the interior. It is inside the paid Forum and Palatine area; from Via dei Fori Imperiali you can only see its back and sides.

Prices, ticket names and time slots are set by the Parco archeologico del Colosseo and change; check the official ticket page before buying.

Traveler showing a mobile ticket on a phone outside an ancient Roman site

Tiqets

Skip-the-line and last-minute Roman Forum tickets — resellers may still have availability; prices are usually higher.

Check prices A local guide showing a small tour group around the Roman Forum ruins

Klook

Guided tours with entry included — compare with official dates first; prices are usually higher.

Check prices The Roman Forum ruins with the Colosseum behind at sunset

Trip.com

Compare bundles and combo tickets — Colosseum plus Forum, Vatican or hop-on buses in one booking.

Check prices

Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Check each listing's cancellation terms before paying.

Official sources

Reviewed October 2026. Ticket names, prices, hours and open areas change — always confirm on the official pages.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Curia Julia?: Usually yes. The Senate House is normally open to visitors with a ticket covering the Roman Forum, and the interior hall, marble floor and carved panels are the main reasons to step inside. It can close for maintenance or exhibition changes, so check the official Parco archeologico del Colosseo website on the day of your visit.
Is the Curia Julia where Julius Caesar was killed?: No. Caesar was killed in 44 BC at a meeting held in the Curia of Pompey, part of the Theatre of Pompey complex near today’s Largo di Torre Argentina. The Curia Julia in the Forum was still being built at that time and was completed later by Augustus, so it is a different building.
Are the doors of the Curia Julia original?: The doors you see at the Curia today are a copy. The original ancient bronze doors were moved in the 17th century to the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, where they were adapted to fit and still form the main entrance. You can see both in one day if you visit the basilica as well.
How long should you spend at the Curia Julia?: Fifteen to twenty minutes is enough to walk through the hall, look at the floor and reliefs, and see the Arch of Septimius Severus and speakers’ platform outside. If a temporary exhibition is on, allow a little longer. It pairs naturally with the Temple of Saturn at the same western end of the Forum.