Trajan's Market - The world's first shopping mall

place · landmark · historical site · museum

Trajan's Market - The world's first shopping mall

Name: Trajan's Market - The world's first shopping mall
Item: Trajan's Market
Rating: 5
Author: aikotraces

5/5

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Trajan's Market·Rome, Italy

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Often referred to as the "world's first shopping mall," Trajan's Market are an architectural marvel. Built between 100 and 110 AD, the complex was once a bustling commercial and administrative hub featuring over 150 shops, offices, and apartments. Visiting at night, as you did, provides a spectacular view of the multi-level, semi-circular brick facade, which is beautifully illuminated, highlighting the ingenuity of Roman engineering.

Traveler Tips

Trajan's Market actually houses the Museum of the Imperial Fora on the inside. Recommend going inside during the day to walk through the ancient corridors and see the artifacts recovered from the various nearby forums; it offers a completely different, immersive perspective on how the Romans lived and worked.

@aikotraces

May 19, 2026