The road was created in the years 1930-1932 at the order of Benito Mussolini and was the symbol of new Italy. It was used for Fascist military parades and marches of youth regiments. In order to create it, it was necessary to displace thousands of people from a densely populated area, tear down a few churches, monastery buildings and other buildings, as well as bury some ancient forums (Forum of Caesar, Forum of Trajan, Forum of Augustus, Forum of Nerva). Through their center, an axis was set out, which destroyed their integrated system and divided them into two parts. These works were accompanied by excavations and archeological research with the aim to become familiar with the forums which had until then been built over – it was the first time that in such a decisive way the ancient remains were cleared of later additions and architectural interferences, generally connected with the religious functions, which these structures had fulfilled for centuries. Unfortunately the excavation works and the research were conducted under the pressure of time and were for the most part done without the proper care and piety. In 1932 on the tenth anniversary of the March on Rome, the street also known as the “Fascist via Sacra” had its grand opening. It was adorned by statues of great leaders and founders, of the forums found below the surface (Caesar, Octavius Augustus, Nerva, Trajan), which were put up in the following years but which are still visible today, as well as reliefs with the representation of maps of the empire in its different periods, which aimed at showing citizens of Rome the gradual expansion of their ancestors – from the time the city was established until the times of Emperor Trajan.

Via dell’Impero in a decisive way changed the image of the city and became an important communication tract, connecting Piazza Venezia with the Lateran and despite the harm that was done to create it, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful streets of the Italian capital. After the war it was renamed the via dei Fori Imperiali, while today it is for the most part a promenade, which is surrounded on both sides by, now uncovered, remains of ancient forums.