Appia Antica
Discover the magic of the Ancient Appian Way by bicycle, Vespa and Scooter: guided tours among ancient monuments and breathtaking landscapes a journey into the past aboard your favorite vehicle.
The Via Appia Antica is one of the oldest and most important roads in ancient Rome, often also called “Regina Viarum,” or “Queen of Roads.” It was built in 312 BC by the censor Appius Claudius Blind, after whom it was named, and connected Rome to Brindisi, an important port for trade with the East.
What you need to know about the Appia Antica
Characteristics and Historical Significance
Length: The original road stretched about 560 kilometers, crossing the present regions of Latium, Campania, Basilicata and Apulia.
Function: It served mainly military purposes, facilitating the rapid movement of Roman troops to the south of the peninsula. It was also a vital trade route.
Construction: Roman engineers built the Appian Way using large slabs of basalt, laid on a stable base to withstand heavy traffic and the elements, ensuring its durability over the centuries.
Sites of Interest along the Appian Way
The Via Appia Antica is dotted with monuments, tombs, and archaeological sites, including:
Catacombs of St. Callistus and St. Sebastian: ancient Christian underground cemeteries.
Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella: one of the most famous mausoleums in Rome, erected for the noblewoman Cecilia Metella.
Villa of the Quintili: one of the most luxurious and vast villas of the imperial era.
The Appian Way Today
Today, the Via Appia Antica is a protected archaeological park, where it is possible to walk or hike by bicycle, immersing oneself in an environment that seems suspended in time. The road is surrounded by Roman countryside and allows visitors to relive ancient history in an extraordinary natural setting. Many sections of the Via Appia Antica have been restored to be open to the public, and the road is located in the Appia Antica Regional Park, established in 1988. Here you can walk among Roman remains, admire ancient aqueducts, and enjoy the rural landscape.
Architecture and Construction Techniques
Roman engineers pioneered the use of advanced construction techniques for the time. The Appian Way was built with a series of layers to ensure a solid and durable surface:
- Bottom layer: composed of gravel and smaller stones to ensure drainage.
- Intermediate layer: with larger stones, stabilized with mortar.
- Top layer: basalt slabs cut so that they fit together perfectly, creating a smooth surface.
Economic and Cultural Significance
In addition to its military function, the Via Appia became a major artery for trade. Goods from the East, such as spices, textiles and precious metals, arrived through the port of Brindisi and were transported along the road to Rome. The Appian Way also helped to foster cultural exchange, allowing the arrival of Eastern ideas, fashions and architectural styles.
Curiosities
The Last Battle of Spartacus: Along the Appian Way the slave revolt led by Spartacus in 71 B.C. ended, and thousands of rebels were crucified along this road as a warning.
Cicero and Seneca: Many great men of the time, such as the philosopher Seneca and the orator Cicero, traveled this route, and it is said that they often meditated or wrote during long journeys.
Attractions and Monuments
In addition to the sites already mentioned, along the Via Appia Antica are:
Domine Quo Vadis Church: according to tradition, St. Peter is said to have had a vision of Christ here.
Circus of Maxentius: a chariot racing stadium built by Emperor Maxentius near his mausoleum.
A Crossroads of Myths and Legends: The Appian Way is linked to numerous myths. One of the most famous is that of the encounter between St. Peter and Jesus at the Domine Quo Vadis Church. According to legend, as St. Peter was fleeing Rome to avoid persecution, he saw Jesus walking toward the city. St. Peter asked him, “Domine, quo vadis?” (“Lord, where are you going?”), and Christ replied that he was going to Rome to be crucified again. This encounter convinced Peter to turn back and face his destiny.
A Technologically Advanced Road for the Ages: The Appian Way was one of the first Roman roads to be built with a technique called “stone paving,” which included a double lateral drainage system to prevent the road from flooding, an innovative solution that made it passable for centuries.
The Appian Way Catacombs: Along the Appian Way are numerous Christian catacombs, including those of St. Callistus and St. Sebastian. These underground places were used as cemeteries by early Christians, since above ground it was forbidden to bury the dead. They are rich in frescoes, symbols and inscriptions that tell of the life of early Christian communities.
An ancient “Highway”: In Roman times, the Appian Way was so well designed that it was the equivalent of a modern highway. Thanks to its construction, a long stretch of the Italian peninsula could be traveled quickly. Even imperial couriers, charged with carrying important messages and documents, used it to travel more quickly.
Fellini’s Famous Film, “La Dolce Vita”: Some scenes from Federico Fellini’s film “La Dolce Vita” are set near the Via Appia Antica, which with its melancholy and historical beauty perfectly represented the atmosphere of Rome in the 1960s.
Funeral Rites Along the Road: The Romans built monumental tombs along the Appian Way to commemorate the dead, such as the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. It was important to the Romans that their ancestors be remembered and honored by anyone passing along the road. It was common for travelers to stop and read inscriptions commemorating the dead, a kind of “greeting” to the citizens of ancient Rome.
The Appian Way During the Middle Ages: With the fall of the Roman Empire, the Appian Way fell into disrepair and many of its sections were abandoned. However, during the Middle Ages, it became a pilgrimage route for Christians traveling to Rome. Today, numerous medieval and Renaissance sections can still be seen along the route.
A Modern Park on an Ancient Road: The Appia Antica Regional Park was established in 1988 to protect the landscape and historical heritage of the Appian Way. Today, it is one of Rome’s most important green areas and a gathering place for those who enjoy walking, jogging, or biking immersed in history. The Via Appia Antica continues to be a symbol of Roman history, and walking along this ancient road is like traveling back in time.
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