Rome’s ongoing heatwave may feel near intolerable when confronting the city’s ancient centre and its morass of sweating tourists, but the high likelihood of clear, dry skies and toasty night-time temperatures does at least mean the coming weeks make the perfect time to rediscover the Roman Forum.

The centre of ancient Rome and long a highlight of visits to the city, the site until mid-November hosts an exceptionally sophisticated sound and light show that each night fleetingly recreates the staggering temples and palaces suggested by the marooned boulders and clusters of columns scattered across the complex, and in so doing brings to life the remarkable events that occurred in its ancient plazas, marketplaces and courts.