Appian Way, Rome Appian Way 5 171 votes Via Appia Antica (Old Appian Way) was once one of the world's most important roads and the most famous of all the roads that radiated from Rome towards the far ends of the Roman Empire. Building the Road The Via Appia, originally built in 312 BC, was the brainchild of Appius Claudius Caecus, the then-censor of Rome, who was known for organizing bold public works that helped make life easier for the people of Rome. Appian Way Appius Claudius' most famous project was this road, which would eventually run all the way from Rome to the port city of Brindisi. The road began as a level dirt surface upon which mortar and small stones were laid. On top of that, gravel was placed, topped with interlocking stones that would provide a flat surface for those traveling the road. Historians say the stones fit together so well that it was nearly impossible to stick a knife between them. Ditches were dug on either side of the road and were protected by retaining walls.

A 560 km long road Via Appia began at the Circus Maximus , passing along the Baths of Caracalla , and later, the Aurelian Wall . Near Rome the road was lined with tombs. When the road left the city, it traveled through wealthy suburbs on its way straight through the Appian Mountains and over the former Pontine Marshes to Terracina, a coastal town 56 km south of Rome. From there the Appian Way followed the western coast, eventually ending at Capua, making the original road about 210 km long. Ancient Roman Pavement This road achieved its goals by helping the Roman army move military supplies where they were needed in a quick manner, resulting in several victories for the army. Sometime around 295 BC, the road was extended to Benevenutum and then, within the next five years, to Venusia and Tarentum. Eventually, the Appian Way made it all the way to the port city of Brindisi on Italy's southeast coast, 560 km from Rome (about 350 miles).

Monuments Along the Appian Way Relief on a tomb Since it was forbidden to bury the dead in the city proper, many were buried along the roads leading out of Rome. Important people built tombs for themselves or for their whole family. Sometimes these tombs were as large as a house. Their shapes varied from a tumulus or a pyramid to a small temple. The Via Appia was lined with such monuments and many of them are still visible today. The most impressive is the well-preserved tomb of Cecilia Metella - the wife of one of Julius Caesar's generals, which looks almost like a fortress. Other notable tombs include the tomb of Marcus Servilius, the tomb of Tomb of Cecilia Metella Tomb of Sextus Pompeius Justus Romulus (son of Emperor Maxentius), the tomb of Seneca (a Roman philosopher) and the tomb of the family of Sextus Pompeius Justus; The inscription on the tomb tells of the grief of a father burying his young children. There's also an emperor buried along the Via Appia, Gallienus, who was murdered in 268 AD.

Other Sights Besides the numerous tombs along the road, there are some other monuments that line the Via Appia: the Temple of Hercules, the church Quo Vadis (where Saint Peter is said to have met Christ) and the remains of the Gothic church of San Nicola. The Villa dei Quintili, with its ancient baths and beautiful friezes and sculptures is located nearby at the Via Appia Nuova. And nearby the tomb of Romulus is the Circus Maxentius, a large arena where chariot races were held. Adjacent to the circus was a palace built by Emperor Maxentius. The circus, which was second in size only to the Circus Maximus , is the best preserved of all Roman circuses. Underneath While the Via Appia is lined with monuments and tombs of ancient Roman patrician families, many find what's under the Appian Way to be more interesting. Below the street are miles of tunnels - known as catacombs - where the early Christians buried their dead and, when necessary, held secret church services.

Several of the catacombs are open to the public and on a guided tour led by local priests and monks, visitors can view ancient burial niches and a Porta San Sebastiano handful of remaining examples of early Christian art. Walking along the Via Appia Today the Via Appia starts at the Aurelian wall , at the Porta San Sebastiano. The first part of the road is not exactly pedestrian friendly. It leads along the Quo Vadis church, the catacombs of San Callisto and the catacombs of San Sebastiano to the imposing tomb of Cecilia Metella. From here the road is paved with the authentic Roman stones. You can walk for many kilometers passing the remains of numerous historic tombs. Best Attractions in Rome: The Appian Way Home » All Articles » 360walks » Best Attractions in Rome: Visiting The Appian Way Best Attractions in Rome: Visiting The Appian Way image: Trish Hartman, via Flickr. One of the best ways to enjoy the sunny Roman weather and feel like you’re stepping back in time is to take a walk along the Appian Way.

The Appian Way (or in Italian, via Appia Antica) was Europe’s first super highway and remains one of the best attractions in Rome. Possibly the oldest road still in existence, it was ancient Rome’s most important military and economic artery and it’s largely intact today! Much of the Appian Way still has the original stones from the start of this 2,000-year-old road. Photo by Shaun Merritt What is it? The Appian Way was a crucial road for the Roman Empire. It connected Rome to some of its most distant settlements. Originally built by Appius Claudius Caecus, the then-censor of Rome, the road connected Rome to Capua near Naples. Eventually, it extended more than 300 miles to Brindisi, Puglia on the Adriatic Coast, making it the widest and longest road in existence at the time. Called the “Queen of Roads,” it’s construction was truly momentous, especially considering it was built in 312 BC! Even compared to many of the other best attractions in Rome, The Appian Way is incredibly well-preserved.

It’s made of large, flat stones, which have been firmly set in place by thousands of years of rain, wheels, and feet passing over them. When you touch them, you are walking in the footsteps of Roman emperors, merchants, saints and maybe even St. Peter. The road was originally built predominately for military purposes, meaning Julius Caesar walked it along with thousands of other soldiers, leaders and consuls. Christians converts were buried along the route and the famous slave leader Spartacus was crucified on the via Appia in 71 BC. For its history and beauty, the first 10 miles of the Appian Way are now a part of a regional park, Parco dell’Appia Antica , where the road and the monuments that surround it are protected. Where is the Appian Way and what is there to see? Although it’s one of the best attractions in Rome, much of the Appian way sits outside the city. But don’t worry, it’s not difficult to get to. Take the metro to the Piramide or Circo Massimo stops, then catch the #118.

You can also go by taxi, but be careful about coming back – many of the cars waiting around aren’t official taxis, so it’s best to set a price before getting inside. The best day to visit is by far on Sundays, when the entire park is closed to traffic. Romans come for picnics and bike rides and tourists can tour the monuments, catacombs and even cafés in peace. This is definitely the best way to bike or walk the ancient Appian Way, as other days of the week the road is clogged with cars. Or, if you’d like an expert to guide you through Rome’s most awe-inspiring ancient sites, including the Appian Way, check out our Rome as a Local tour. The view across the Circus Maxentius near his villa on the Via Appia Antica, showing the still-standing brick towers on the western end. Photo from the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World as part of the Ancient World Image Bank Today’s via Appia starts at the Porta San Sebastiano, just two miles south of the Coliseum.

For those on bikes, it might be best to ride in the well-worn dirt tracks alongside the road to avoid the bumps and bruises the large stones might give you and the bike. From Porta San Sebastiano, head down the road to the 9th century Domine Quo Vadis Church. Legend has it that this is the spot where Peter saw a vision of Christ when he was fleeing Nero’s persecution in 64 AD. He asked Christ, “”Domine, quo vadis?” or “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus responded that he was going to Rome to be crucified anew, prompting Peter to accept his fate and return to Rome to become a martyr. Inside the church is the stone that supposedly has the footprints of Jesus. There’s also a fresco of Peter on the left wall and one of Jesus on the right. Two major Christian catacombs are located directly after the church, the Catacombs of San Sebastiano and the slightly larger Catacombs of San Callisto. They are the burial sites for many of the early popes and some of the best attractions in Rome in their own right.

Nearby there’s also the enormous tomb of Cecilia Metella, the daughter-in-law of Rome’s richest man. Although this tomb doesn’t show up on many normal tours, it’s definitely one of the best attraction in Rome (or just outside of it). We even stop at it on our Rome As A Local tour because it has to be seen to be believed. A little ways past Cecilia’s mausoleum is the Circus Maxentius, one of the best-preserved Roman imperial circuses. It’s a large arena where chariot races were once held, right next to the remains of Emperor Maxentius’ large villa. From here you can walk or bike for miles along the ancient Roman highway, passing gorgeous fields strewn with historic tombs and ancient Roman ruins, all nearly unchanged since the 4th century. After sightseeing, continue along the ancient Appian Way to enjoy the scenery – you’re likely looking at the same views of the ancient Romans before you. Photo by Anthony Majanlahti.

Though eventually about 30 other roads fanned out from Rome (truly giving meaning to the saying “all roads lead to Rome”) the Ancient Appian Way was the first and greatest, another surviving testament to the mighty Roman Empire. Share this: Appian Way A Appian Way The Appian Way ( Latin and Italian: Via Appia) was one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic. It connected Rome to Brindisi , Apulia , in southeast Italy . Its importance is indicated by its common name, recorded by Statius: Appia teritur regina longarum viarum "the Appian way is commonly said to be the queen of the long roads" The road is named after Appius Claudius Caecus, the Roman censor who began and completed the first section as a military road to the south in 312 BC during the Samnite Wars. Origins The need for roads The Roman army depended for its success on the use of bases in which to prepare for battle and to refresh and re-equip afterwards. Bases allowed the Romans to keep a large number of soldiers in the field waiting for the opportunity to strike.

However, the bases needed to be connected by good roads for easy access and supply from Rome. The Appian Way was used as a main route for military supplies since its construction for that purpose in the mid-4th century BC. The Appian Way was the first long road built specifically to transport troops outside the smaller region of greater Rome.(this was essential to the Romans) The few roads outside the early city were Etruscan and went mainly to Etruria. By the late Republic, the Romans had expanded over most of Italy and were masters of road construction. Their roads began at Rome, where the master itinerarium, or list of destinations along the roads, was located, and extended to the borders of their domain - hence the expression, "All roads lead to Rome." The Samnite Wars Rome had an affinity for the people of Campania , who, like themselves, traced their backgrounds to the Etruscans. The Samnite Wars were instigated by the Samnites when Rome attempted to ally itself with the city of Capua in Campania. The Italic speakers in Latium had long ago been subdued and incorporated into the Roman state.

They were responsible for changing Rome from a primarily Etruscan to a primarily Italic state. Dense populations of sovereign Samnites remained in the mountains north of Capua, which is just north of the Greek city of Neapolis . Around 343 BC, Rome and Capua attempted to form an alliance, a first step toward a closer unity. The Samnites reacted with military force. The barrier of the Pontine Marshes Between Capua and Rome lay the Pontine Marshes (Pomptinae paludes), a swamp infested with malaria . A tortuous coastal road wound between Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber and Neapolis. The via Latina followed its ancient and scarcely more accessible path along the foothills of Monti Laziali and Monti Lepini, which are visible towering over the former marsh. In the First Samnite War (343 BC-341 BC) the Romans found they could not support or resupply troops in the field against the Samnites across the marsh. A revolt of the Latin League drained their resources further. They gave up the attempted alliance and settled with Samnium.

Colonization to the southeast The Romans were only biding their time while they looked for a solution. The first answer was the colonia , a "cultivation" of settlers from Rome, who would maintain a permanent base of operations. The Second Samnite War (327 BC-304 BC) erupted when Rome attempted to place a colony at Cales in 334 BC and again at Fregellae in 328 on the other side of the marshes. The Samnites, now a major power after defeating the Greeks of Tarentum, occupied Neapolis to try and ensure its loyalty. The Neapolitans appealed to Rome, which sent an army and expelled the Samnites from Neapolis. Colonies alone apparently were not the answer. In 321 BC, a Roman army was trapped in the mountain passes north of Capua, at Caudium. At the Battle of the Caudine Forks they were kept penned in without supplies, especially water, until the Senate bought their release in exchange for a 5-year treaty the Romans considered humiliating, by which they provided hostages and gave up the colonies. Rome used the time to defeat the Italic tribes around Samnium.

In 316 BC, at the end of the treaty, Samnium again opened hostilities against Rome, which was defeated at the Battle of Lautulae in 315 BC. By 312 BC, the situation was bleak for Rome and became bleaker when, in 311 BC, the Etruscans in Etruria and Campania defected to the Samnites. Appius Claudius' beginning of the works In 312 BC, Appius Claudius Caecus became censor at Rome. He was of the gens Claudia, who were patricians descended from the Sabines taken into the early Roman state. He had been given the name of the founding ancestor of the gens. He was a populist, i.e., an advocate of the common people. A man of inner perspicacity, in the years of success he was said to have lost his outer vision and thus acquired the name caecus, "blind". Without waiting to be told what to do by the Senate, Appius Claudius began bold public works to address the supply problem. An aqueduct (the Aqua Appia) secured the water supply of the city of Rome.

By far the best known project was the road, which ran across the Pontine Marshes to the coast northwest of Naples, where it turned north to Capua. On it, any number of fresh troops could be sped to the theatre of operations, and supplies could be moved en masse to Roman bases without hindrance by either enemy or terrain. It is no surprise that, after his term as censor, Appius Claudius became consul twice, subsequently held other offices, and was a respected consultant to the state even during his later years. The success of the road The road achieved its purpose. The outcome of the Second Samnite War was at last favorable to Rome. In a series of blows the Romans reversed their fortunes, bringing Etruria to the table in 311 BC, the very year of their revolt, and Samnium in 304. The road was the main factor that allowed them to concentrate their forces sufficiently rapidly and keep them adequately supplied to become a formidable opponent. Construction of the road The main part of the Appian Way was started and finished in 312 BC. The road began as a leveled dirt road upon which small stones and mortar were laid.

Upon this gravel was laid, which was finally topped with tight fitting, and interlocking stones to provide a flat surface. Some of the stones were said to fit so well that you could not slide a knife into the cracks.The road was crested in the middle (for water runoff) and had ditches on either side of the road which were protected by retaining walls. Between Rome and Lake Albano The road began in the Forum Romanum, passed through the Servian Wall at the porta Capena, went through a cutting in the clivus Martis, and left the city. For this stretch of the road, the builders used the via Latina. The building of the Aurelian Wall centuries later required the placing of another gate, the Porta Appia. Outside of Rome the new via Appia went through well-to-do suburbs along the via Norba, the ancient track to the Alban hills, where Norba was situated. The road at the time was a via glarea, a gravel road. The Romans built a high-quality road, with layers of cemented stone over a layer of small stones, crowned, drainage ditches on either side, low retaining walls on sunken portions, and dirt pathways for sidewalks.

The via Appia is believed to have been the first Roman road to feature the use of lime cement. The materials were volcanic rock. The surface was said to have been so smooth that you could not distinguish the joints. The Roman section still exists and is lined with monuments of all periods, although the cement has eroded out of the joints, leaving a very rough surface. Across the marsh The road concedes nothing to the Alban hills, but goes straight through them over cuts and fills. The gradients are steep. Then it enters the former Pomptine Marshes. A stone causeway of about 19 miles led across stagnant and foul-smelling pools blocked from the sea by sand dunes. Appius Claudius planned to drain the marsh, taking up earlier attempts, but he failed. The causeway and its bridges subsequently needed constant repair. No one enjoyed crossing the marsh. In 162 BC, Marcus Cornelius Cathegus had a canal constructed along the road to relieve the traffic and provide an alternative when the road was being repaired. Romans preferred using the canal. Along the coast The via Appia picked up the coastal road at Tarracina. However, the Romans straightened it somewhat with cuttings, which form cliffs today.

From there the road swerved north to Capua, where, for the time being, it ended. Caudine Forks was not far to the north. The itinerary was Aricia (Ariccia), Tres Tabernae, Forum Appii, Tarracina (Terracina), Fundi (Fondi), Formiae (Formia), Minturnae (Minturno), Sinuessa (Mondragone), Casilinum and Capua, but some of these were colonies added after the Samnite Wars. The distance was 132 miles. The original road had no milestones, as they were not yet in use. A few survive from later times, including a first milestone near the porta Appia. Extension to Beneventum The Third Samnite War (298 BC-290 BC) is perhaps misnamed. It was an all-out attempt by all the neighbors of Rome: Italics, Etruscans and Gauls, to check the power of Rome. The Samnites were the leading people of the conspiracy. Rome dealt the northerners a crushing blow at the Battle of Sentinum in Umbria in 295 BC.

The Samnites fought on alone. Rome now placed 13 colonies in Campania and Samnium. It must have been during this time that they extended the via Appia 35 miles beyond Capua past the Caudine forks to a place the Samnites called Maloenton, “passage of the flocks.” The itinerary added Calatia, Caudium and Beneventum (not yet called that). Here also ended the via Latina. Extension to Apulia and Calabria By 290 BC, all was over for the sovereignty of the Samnites. The heel of Italy lay open to the Romans. The dates are somewhat uncertain and there is considerable variation in the sources, but during the Third Samnite War the Romans seem to have extended the road to Venusia, where they placed a colony of 20,000 men. After that they were at Tarentum. Roman expansion alarmed Tarentum, the leading city of the Greek presence (Magna Graecia) in southern Italy. They hired the mercenary king King Pyrrhus of Epirus in neighboring Greece to fight the Romans on their behalf.

In 280 BC the Romans suffered a defeat at the hands of Pyrrhus at the Battle of Heraclea on the coast west of Tarentum. The battle was costly for both sides, prompting Pyrrhus to remark "One more such victory and I am lost." Making the best of it, the Roman army turned on Greek Rhegium and effected a massacre of Pyrrhian partisans there. Rather than pursue them, Pyrrhus went straight for Rome along the via Appia and then the via Latina. He knew that if he continued on the via Appia he could be trapped in the marsh. Wary of such entrapment on the via Latina also, he withdrew without fighting after encountering opposition at Anagni. Wintering in Campania, he withdrew to Apulia in 279 BC, where, pursued by the Romans, he won a second costly victory at the Battle of Asculum. Withdrawing from Apulia for a Sicilian interlude, he returned to Apulia in 275 and started for Campania up the nice Roman road.

Supplied by that same road, the Romans successfully defended the region against Pyrrhus, crushing his army in a two-day fight at the Battle of Beneventum in 275 BC. The Romans renamed the town from "Maleventum" (ill wind) to Beneventum (beneficial wind) as a result. Pyrrhus withdrew to Greece, where he died in a street fight in Argos in 272 BC. Tarentum fell to the Romans that same year, who proceeded to consolidated their rule over all of Italy. The Romans pushed the via Appia to the port of Brundisium in 264 BC. The itinerary from Benvenutum was now Venusia, Tarentum, Uria and Brundisium. The Roman Republic was the government of Italy, for the time being. Appius Claudius died in 273, but in extending the road a number of times, no one has tried to displace his name upon it. Extension by Trajan The emperor Trajan built the Via Traiana, an extension of the Via Appia from Beneventum, reaching Brundisium via Canusium and Barium rather than via Tarentum.

This was commemorated by an arch at Beneventum. Notable historical events along the road The crucifixion of Spartacus and his army In 73 BC, a slave revolt (known as the Third Servile War) under the ex-gladiator of Capua, Spartacus, began against the Romans. Slavery accounted for roughly every third person in Italy. Spartacus defeated many Roman armies in a conflict that lasted for over two years. While trying to escape from Italy at Brundisium he unwittingly moved his forces into the historic trap in Apulia/Calabria. The Romans were well acquainted with the region. Legions were brought home from abroad and Spartacus was penned between armies. On his defeat the Romans judged that the slaves had forfeited their right to live. In 71 BC, 6,000 were crucified along the 200-kilometer via Appia from Rome to Capua. The World War II battle of Anzio In 1943, during World War II , the Allies fell into the same trap Pyrrhus had retreated to avoid, in the Pomptine fields, the successor to the Pomptine marshes.

The marsh remained, despite many efforts to drain it, until engineers working for Benito Mussolini finally succeeded. (Even so, the fields were infested with malarial mosquitos until the advent of DDT in 1950s.) Hoping to break a stalemate at Monte Cassino, the Allies landed on the coast of Italy at Anzio , ancient Antium, which was midway between Ostia and Terracina. They found that the place was undefended. They intended to move along the line of the via Appia to take Rome, outflanking Monte Cassino, but they did not do so quickly enough. The Germans occupied Mounts Laziali and Lepini along the track of the old Via Latina, from which they rained down shells on Anzio. Even though the Allies expanded into all the Pomptine region, they gained no ground. The Germans counterattacked down the via Appia from the Alban hills in a front four miles wide, but could not retake Anzio. The battle lasted for four months, one side being supplied by sea, the other by land through Rome. In May 1944, the Allies broke out of Anzio and took Rome.

The German forces escaped to the north of Florence . Main sights Via Appia antica After the fall of the Western Roman Empire , the road fell out of use; Pope Pius VI ordered its restoration. A new Appian Way was built in parallel with the old one in 1784 as far as the Alban Hills region. The new road is the Via Appia Nuova ("New Appian Way") as opposed to the old section, now known as Via Appia Antica. The old Appian Way close to Rome is now a free tourist attraction. It was extensively restored for Rome's Millennium and Great Jubilee celebrations. The first three miles are still heavily used by cars, buses and coaches but from then on traffic is very light and the ruins can be explored on foot in relative safety. The Church of Domine Quo Vadis is in the second mile of the road. Along or close to the part of the road closest to Rome, there are three catacombs of Roman and early Christian origin. The construction of Rome's ring road, the Grande Raccordo Anulare or GRA, in 1951 caused the Appian Way to be cut in two.

More recent improvements to the GRA have rectified this through the construction of a tunnel under the Appia, so that it is now possible to follow the Appia on foot for about ten miles from its beginning near the Baths of Caracalla. Many parts of the original road beyond Rome's environs have been preserved, and some are now used by cars (for example, in the area of Velletri). The road inspires the last movement of Ottorino Respighi 's Pini di Roma. To this day the Via Appia contains the longest stretch of straight road in Europe, totaling 62 km.

Monuments along the Via Appia 1st to 4th mile Porta Appia (Porta San Sebastiano), the gate of the Aurelian Walls Church of Domine Quo Vadis San Sebastiano fuori le mura catacombs of St Sebastian Story of the Appian Way -Queen of Roads- The Catacombs and Spartacus Appian Way, the Queen of Roads Appian Way, the Queen of Roads Lately there was quite an interest with our Sunday Appian way Segway Tour, a good enough reason to add some words about the Remarkable yet less visited Via Appia Antica, with its History and Catacombs. The Appian Way was once the world’s most important road. It was the widest and largest road of its time and the most famous of all the roads that radiated from Rome towards the far ends of the Roman Empire. It was called the “Regina Viarum”, or “queen of roads” and was the reason for the famous saying “all roads lead to Rome”. The road today is remarkably well preserved, flanked on both sides by fields punctuated with monumental ruins and other vestiges of Roman and Christian history.

Below the road there are miles of tunnels – known as Catacombs, where the early Christians and Jews buried their dead. Till present day you get see Ships along the way Catacombs of S. Callistus View from the sky tomb of Cecilia Matella Circus of Maxentius the best preserved of all Roman circuses Jesus Foot Steps Church of Domine Quo Vadis the Rounded House lies over an ancient tomb Appian Way 365 miles of basalt rock road “Basoli” paved with large basalt rock Villa of the Quintilii built brothers Sextus Maximus and Sextus Regina Viarum - Queen of Roads Building of the Appian Way The Road is named after Appius Claudius, the Roman censor who began and completed the first section as a military road to the south in 312 BC and was constructed in order to make a fast and reliable communication between Rome and Capua. Via Appia began at the Circus Maximus, passing along the Baths of Caracalla, and later, the Aurelian Wall. The whole distance of the original road was 132 miles and it took 5-6 days to make the trip.

The first stretch was a straight 30 mile line between Rome and Terracina, with the last 10 miles being flanked by an artificial canal that allowed the weight to be put on small boats. The road was lengthened several times until arriving to Brindisi on the Adriatic coast, where boats left for Egypt, Greece, and North Africa. It took about 13 days to complete the 365 miles journey. The Appian Way was revolutionary for the time. It was paved with large “Basoli”, basalt rock in polygonal shape and was the first Roman road to feature the use of lime cement. The surface was said to have been so smooth that you could not distinguish the joints. The roads Width was 14 roman feet (4.15 meters), wide enough to allow two chariots to pass in an opposite direction. The road was crested in the middle for water runoff, and had ditches on either side of the road, protected by retaining walls. Ancient Times and the defeat of Spartacus Since it was forbidden to bury the dead inside the city, many were buried along the roads leading out of Rome. Important people built impressive tombs for themselves or for their whole family.

Their shapes varied from a tumulus or a pyramid to a small temple and many of them are still visible today. Besides the numerous tombs alongside the road, there are some other monuments like the Temple of Hercules; the church Quo Vadis (where Saint Peter met Christ) and the remains of the gothic church of San Nicola. Nearby the tomb of Romulus is the Circus Maxentius, second in size only to the Circus Maximus and the best preserved of all Roman circuses. Even Roman emperors were buried here, Gallienus, and Geta, both murdered. In 73 BC, a slave revolt under the ex-gladiator, Spartacus, began against the Romans. Spartacus defeated many Roman armies in a conflict that lasted for over two years. While trying to escape, Spartacus moved his forces into the historic trap in Apulia/Calabria where he was pinned between Legions that were brought from all over the Empire. On his defeat the Romans judged that the slaves had forfeited their right to live. In 71 BC, 6,000 including Spartacus were crucified along the 200-kilometer Appian Way from Rome to Capua.

Catacombs While the Appian Way is lined with monuments and tombs of ancient Roman patrician families, many find what’s under the Appian Way to be more interesting. Below the street are miles of tunnels – known as catacombs – where early Christians buried their dead and, during the worst times of persecution, held church services discreetly out of the public eye. Mile after mile of musty-smelling tunnels whose soft walls are gouged out with tens of thousands of burial niches (long shelves made for 2-3 bodies each) can be seen in the famous Catacomb of Callixtus and catacomb of St Sebastian. Segway Tour On Sundays, the Appian Way is a car-free zone, making it an ideal place for our Appian Way Segway Tour . Via Appia Travel Guide - Tour Italy Now Tour Italy Now Via Appia Travel Guide Introduction The Appian Way or Via Appia is known as “the queen of the long roads”. The road takes its name from the Roman censor who began and completed the first section of the road in 312 BC, and when the entire road was completed, it was the widest and largest road at the time, spanning 330 miles.

It was also one of the earliest roads in the Roman Empire, and the most strategically important because it directly connects the Roman Forum to the city of Brindisi, all the way to the southeastern end of Italy in Puglia, on the Adriatic Coast. It should be noted that at the time, Brindisi was known as the Gateway to the East because of its ports from which Roman vessels headed for Greece, Egypt, and North Africa were launched. The Via Appia is also steeped in legend and history. In one Christian legend, it was on this road that Christ appeared to Saint Peter as he was fleeing Rome. This vision of Christ caused him to return to the city and face martyrdom. In another story, the road also plays a part in the historic slave revolt of Spartacus in 73 BC, for when the revolt was quelled, the Roman army crucified the more than 6000 slaves who participated and lined the Via Appia for up to 130 miles with their bodies. Another unique feature of the Via Appia is that it is lined with ancient monuments and tombs.

This is mainly because as early as 5 BC, burial within the city walls of Rome was forbidden, and so the patrician Roman families commissioned their own burial sites or mausoleums nearby, along the edges of the Via Appia. There are also the catacombs UNDERNEATH this famous road. These catacombs and its connecting tunnels were hewn from the tufa stone, and it was here that the early Christians in Rome buried their dead, a practice that they preferred over the Roman custom of cremation. It was also here that they worshiped, away from the eyes of Roman soldiers and spies, during the height of the persecution. These days, the Via Appia Antica which stretches from the city to the countryside is much more benign, and has since become a major tourist destination where people can walk on the remarkably well-preserved paving stones, and take in the remains and ruins of ancient Roman history. Some of the catacombs are also open to the public and visitors can view thousands of burial niches, as well as remnants of early Christian art.

What to See The length of the Via Appia is simply peppered with points of interest, the most prominent of which are*: 1st to 4th mile Porta Appia (Porta San Sebastiano), the gate of the Aurelian Walls Church of Domine Quo Vadis Tomb of Priscilla Catacomb of Callixtus/Catacomb of San Callisto San Sebastiano fuori le mura (church) Catacombs of St Sebastian Roman baths of Capo di Bove Tomb of Hilarus Fuscus Mausoleum of the Orazi and Curiazi Villa dei Quintili, with nympheum, theatre, and baths Mausoleum of Casal Rotondo Berrettia di Prete (tomb and later church) Mausoleum of Gallienus Besides those listed above, there are also the remains of ancient Roman bridges that visitors will be encountering, including including the Ponte Antico, Ponte Alto, Ponte di Tre Ponti, Viadotta di Valle Ariccia, and the Ponte di Vigna Capoccio.

Most famous among the catacombs to visit would be the Catacombs of San Callisto, with a complex composed of five levels that stretches 19 kilometers. It is considered as the most sacred of all the Roman catacombs, and is located not far from the visitor center and the Via Appia Antica. It is the most important of the Christian cemeteries of the time, because within the catacombs are the remains of 16 popes and more than 50 martyrs. Other impressive Christian catacombs are those of San Sebastian, and San Domitilla. The most impressive tomb along the way would be that of Cecilia Metella, which is located close to the catacombs. The elaborate tomb was built in memory of the wife of one of Julius Caesar’s commanders from the Republican era, and though the person it was for isn’t exactly well-known, the tomb itself is mostly celebrated for being one of the best-preserved examples from that area, as its contemporaries have long since decayed.

Other tombs along the way include that of Emperor Gallienus who was murdered in 268 AD; Romulus the son of Emperor Maxentius; the Roman philosopher, Seneca; and perhaps most poignant of them all is the tomb of the family of Sextus Pompeius Justus which bears an inscription that shares the grief of a father as he buries his children. Along the way can also be found the Temple of Hercules; the wonderfully-preserved ancient chariot race venue, Circus Maxentius; the remains of the Gothic church of San Nicola; the church Quo Vadis where Saint Peter is said to have met Christ; the ancient baths and beautiful sculptures of Villa dei Quintili, and a palace built by Emperor Maxentius. Tips and Advice There are a LOT of sights to see along the Via Appia, and it may seem a little overwhelming. According to the map handed out by the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, the agency that maintains the area, there are at least 54 attractions to visit, so don’t worry if you don’t get to see everything in a single day.

There are many ways to enjoy the Via Appia, and one of these is by taking the Archeobus sightseeing bus. It goes between the visitor center and the tomb of Cecilia Metella and takes visitors through 10 attractions. Getting an Archeobus ticket costs about eight euros, and is valid for the whole day, which means that you can get on and off the bus as you please. Sometimes, it also comes with discounts to bicycle rentals at the visitor center, or entrance fee discounts at some of the other attractions. For those who prefer exploring on their own, it’s possible to rent bicycles at the visitor center, as mentioned previously. Take note, however, that some of the basilicas, temples, and tombs may or may not be closed, and may or may not charge a few euros for entrance, so keep small change in your pocket just in case. As an added tip, the best day to take a bicycle ride along the Via Appia would be on Sundays, as the road is closed from private vehicles. On these days, the road is mostly populated by cyclists, in-line skaters, as well as just people strolling along, or having picnics along the sides.

And then of course, you can just choose to walk. It is a long stretch of road, most of which is open to most vehicle traffic six days a week, so wear comfortable shoes and be an alert pedestrian. You might also want to bring a water bottle and some small snacks. Be aware as well that there isn’t much shade along the way, so it may also be a good idea to slather on some sunblock, or bring a foldable umbrella to shade yourself from the sun, or both. When going on foot, make sure to grab a map from the visitor center to guide you along, and prepare ahead of time by acquainting yourself with local transport options, or you might find yourself having to walk all the way back to the visitor center! (* – list taken from Wikipedia) Yes! Please send me my FREE Insider Italy Vacation Checklist with all the insider travel secrets I'll need for a perfect Italy vacation. What are you looking for?

Question: The Appian Way began in Rome and ends in which other Italian city?
Answer: Brindisi