›

Column of Phoca

Column of Phoca

Discover cities like never before.

Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.

Is it possible to imagine a time when the Roman Forum was not a ruin but a bustling center of life? Right here, in the midst of these ancient stones, stands the Column of Phoca. This column, a fluted Corinthian masterpiece of white marble, rises over 44 feet above the Forum floor. It was the last monument erected in the Forum, a testament to a fading empire. The year was 608 AD. Rome, once mistress of the world, was now part of the Eastern Roman Empire. The man honored, Emperor Phocas, was a controversial figure. Though he granted favors to Rome, including the Pantheon to the Pope, his reign was marred by brutality. The inscription on the column’s base, however, paints a different picture: It praises Phocas as a pious and clement ruler, a benefactor to Italy. This inscription, commissioned by Smaragdus, the Exarch of Ravenna, reflects the complex realities of power and propaganda in the waning days of the Roman Empire. The irony is palpable. Phocas, reviled by history, stands immortalized in the heart of the Forum, a silent witness to the ebb and flow of empires.

Exploring Column of Phoca in Rome is just the beginning. With Explory’s Rome guide, every walk becomes a discovery. The intuitive Rome city guide links stories with locations, turning your visit into a personalized Rome city tour that brings the city closer to you.Explory helps you see Rome differently. The Rome guide introduces you to culture, history, and hidden details. Using the Rome audio guide, you can listen to stories that bring the atmosphere alive. Beyond the highlights, Explory points you to Rome hidden gems that reveal the city’s true character.With the Rome city guide, you enjoy freedom and insights combined. Each curated Rome city tour is designed for authentic Rome exploration, allowing you to connect with the city on a deeper level. By emphasizing Rome hidden gems and immersive Rome exploration, Explory ensures your experience is unique.Download the Explory App now and explore more than 300 cities and 500,000 POIs and stories worldwide. Whether you’re searching for a reliable Rome guide, an inspiring Rome audio guide, or a flexible Rome city tour, Explory gives you the perfect way to travel.

More Places in Rome

Chiesa di Santa Maria in Monticelli

Is this heaven? Because standing before the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Monticelli, one might feel a touch of the

Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Orazione e Morte

Why is this church adorned with skulls and hourglasses? You might ask yourself this question standing before the Chiesa di

Chiesa di Sant’Anselmo all’Aventino

“Wait, did you hear that?” whispered a young boy, tugging at his father’s sleeve. They stood before the imposing facade

Chiesa di San Bonaventura

Why is this unassuming church, Chiesa di San Bonaventura al Palatino, called “alla Polveriera”? The Chiesa di San Bonaventura al

Domus Flavia

Was it awe or fear that coursed through the veins of those who stood before the Domus Flavia? Imagine yourselves

MACRO – Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Roma

Do you smell that? No, not the pizza, though I understand the distraction. A hint of malt, perhaps? We’re standing

Chiesa di Sant’Orsola

A church with two names? Right here in Rome, you’ll find the Chiesa di Sant’Orsola, also known as the Purgatory

Ponte Vittorio Emanuele Secondo

In the heart of Rome, a silent testament to a nation’s unification stands before us: Ponte Vittorio Emanuele Secondo. Ponte

Basilica di Sant’Anastasia al Palatino

They say a Roman matron named Anastasia built this beautiful Basilica. Right here, at the foot of the Palatine Hill,