Fórum romano de Tomar

The Roman forum of Tomar (Portuguese: Fórum romano de Tomar) is an archaeological site in the Portuguese town of Tomar, preserving remains of the centre of the former Roman settlement of Sellium. It is a protected cultural heritage monument, and in Portugal's heritage register it holds the status of Imóvel de Interesse Público.

What was the forum in Tomar?

The forum was the heart of public life in the Roman town. It stood where the two main street axes met: the cardo, running north to south, and the decumanus, running east to west. The square was surrounded by public and private buildings, and archaeologists have identified among them a public plaza, a basilica, a curia and several shops.

What can you see here?

The remains are modest but rewarding for anyone interested in the ancient world. The main elements are:

• The basilica. Rectangular in plan, it closed off the southern side of the square. Of its eight interior columns, five still survive.
• The curia. A rectangular room of roughly 116 square metres, opening onto a smaller side chamber. The curia and two adjoining rooms were reached through the central nave of the basilica.
• The shops (tabernae). The foundations of the commercial premises have survived; they probably faced the square from its western side.
• Residential remains. To the north and northwest of the forum, traces of houses and the streets around them have been found.

According to one study, access to the forum ran through porticoed galleries that crossed the basilica and the square from west to east.

Why visit?

Tomar is best known for its medieval Templar castle and the Convent of Christ. The forum is a reminder that the town has a far older story: before the Templars, a Roman settlement with its own administrative and commercial centre stood here. A visit helps you grasp how such a town was laid out and imagine daily life in it, with officials meeting in the curia, merchants in their shops and people gathering in the square.

Local sources link the founding of the town to the age of Augustus, in the 1st century AD, and say the settlement was abandoned in the second half of the 5th century. These claims come from popular write-ups, so treat them with caution. It is also unclear what official administrative status the town held in Roman times.

Practical tips

The site lies in Tomar at about 39.603 N, 8.408 W. It combines well with a walk through the historic centre and a visit to the nearby monuments. Before you go, check current access rules with Portugal's cultural heritage authority or the local tourist office, since opening times at archaeological sites can change. Sturdy shoes help on uneven ground.

Frequently asked questions

Is the forum in Tomar the same as the Roman Forum in Rome? No. It is a much smaller site, the remains of the centre of a provincial town, Sellium, rather than the capital of the empire.

What survives of the basilica? Five of its eight interior columns and the plan of a rectangular building on the south side of the square.

Is it a protected monument? Yes. The site has the status of Imóvel de Interesse Público, listed in the register from 1997.

Were there homes nearby? Yes. Remains of housing and streets have been found to the north and northwest of the forum.