When I first got to Rome, I felt like I’d already lived there in a past life. Have you ever had that feeling?
I still love “her” like crazy, and can’t ever go back often enough. So I’m going to start dedicating the Friday posts to Rome in Film, Roman Food, Roman Ruins. You get the idea — ALL things Rome!
Well you know what all roads do…..right? “All roads lead to Rome.”
The first important road is also the most evocative, at least for me. It starts not far from the center of the city, and walking the first few miles is a wonderful way to spend a day, especially a Sunday.
Even better, let’s add it to your Rome In One Day all the Highlights tour !
1. Via Appia Antica
The Appian Way is called the “Regina Viarum” in latin, or the “Queen of Roads”. It’s a fitting name.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Via Appia, Rome’s famous ancient road, is its incredible scope, which stretched over 300 miles and connected Rome to Apulia, Brindisi, and Campainia.
Developed in 312 BC by Appius Claudius Caecus, the Via Appia is regarded as the most important road in all of ancient Rome, even more so than the Via Flaminia.
Walking down the Via Appia, you’re mesmerized by the sheer magnitude of its size. Along it stretches an imposing network of imposing arches, aqueducts, and bridges, which all lead to grand final destinations.
Along the route you might see funery monuments to important ancient Romans, towering marble columns, intricately sculpted altars, perfect archways, and beautiful amphitheatres….and even some ambling sheep and modern cyclists. These giant flagstones that run ruler-straight toward Naples, then cut east to the tip of Puglia, are and evocative reminder of Rome’s power and prestige.
The view along the Via Appia is also incredible, with the ancient countryside of Italy visible in all its rustic, natural glory. Rolling hills, deep valleys, and shady olive groves are some of the beautiful sights still visible along this legacy of ancient greatness. As you walk, the sound of gurgling water from the many streams that line the way can be heard, giving the entire experience an added sense of life and vitality. Perhaps most captivating is the wealth of history that lines the Via Appia.
Throughout time, this grandiose ancient highway has been the scene of multiple significant forays in Roman history. Here are some of most important events that have happened along the Via Appia:
• The early Romans used the Via Appia to march their armies to the south, which resulted in the conquest of the Samnite people in 321 BC.
• In 255 BC, the Via Appia was the route Roman legions marched to cross the Alps and battle the Gauls. • Hannibal famously marched down the Via Appia to attack Rome in 217 BC.
• In 31 BC, the Roman legions marched down this road to meet Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium.
• Titus and his legions marched down the Via Appia to put down the Jewish revolt known as the Great Revolt in 70 AD.
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