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The Appian Way or Via Appia Antica in Rome is an ancient road built in 312 B.C. by Appius Claudius Caecus. The city’s gateway to the East connected Rome with Capua. It stretched from the Roman Forum 400 miles to Brindisi, where ships sailed to Egypt and Greece, and it served as a military and economic artery. Today, it is one of the best sites to enjoy a sunny Roman day by stepping back in time.
Things to Know Before Visit Appian Way
What is the Appian Way, and when was it built?
Why was the Appian Way important for the Roman Empire?
How long is the Appian Way?
What famous historical events occurred on the Appian Way?
Why is the Appian Way also known as the “Queen of Roads”?
What materials were used to build the Appian Way?
What kind of structures can be found along the Appian Way?
Can the Appian Way still be visited today?
What challenges did the builders of the Appian Way face?
How did the construction of the Appian Way influence other Roman roads?
Interesting Facts about the Appian Way
Here are 20 interesting and unusual facts about the Appian Way that only expert historians know. Memorize a few and surprise your friends during a self-guided walk.
- The Appian Way was named after Appius Claudius Caecus, a Roman censor, who initiated its construction in 312 BC.
- It was the first Roman road built specifically for military purposes, allowing rapid troop movements and supply transport.
- The road was built using a groundbreaking technique called “opus caementicium,” a form of concrete that allowed engineers to create a durable and stable surface.
- The Appian Way played a crucial role in Rome’s expansion, as it connected the city to the southern provinces, enabling the conquest of new territories.
- The road was often used for “triumphal processions,” where victorious generals and their armies marched back to Rome to celebrate their victories.
- In 71 BC, after the defeat of Spartacus and his slave rebellion, the Romans crucified 6,000 enslaved people along the Appian Way as a warning to others who might consider rebellion.
- The Apostle Peter is said to have met Jesus on the Appian Way while fleeing persecution in Rome. According to tradition, Jesus told Peter he was returning to Rome to be crucified again, inspiring Peter to return to the city and face martyrdom.
- The Appian Way was a prestigious location for the burial of notable Romans, such as the poet Horace and the orator Cicero, whose tombs were situated along the road.
- Numerous catacombs, like the Catacombs of San Sebastiano and San Callisto, were built along the Appian Way, housing the remains of early Christians and martyrs.
- The road’s strategic importance prompted its inclusion in the “Antonine Itinerary,” a Roman guidebook listing the empire’s road network and important landmarks.
- The Appian Way was crucial for trade, enabling the transport of goods such as olive oil, wine, and grain from southern Italy to Rome.
- The Milvian Bridge, an important crossing along the Appian Way, was the site of a pivotal battle between Constantine and Maxentius in 312 AD, leading to Constantine’s conversion to Christianity.
- The road’s construction required advanced engineering techniques, such as building viaducts and bridges to traverse difficult terrains like marshlands and rivers.
- The road featured mile markers called “miliarium,” which indicated the distance to Rome, making navigation easier for travelers.
- The Appian Way was continually maintained and repaired by the Roman government, ensuring its reliability for centuries.
- Emperor Augustus commissioned a monumental arch at the entrance to the Appian Way in Rome, called the “Porta San Sebastiano,” which still stands today.
- The road was also home to many villas and country estates, such as the Villa of the Quintilii, which belonged to wealthy and influential Romans.
- The Appian Way inspired the famous saying, “All roads lead to Rome,” emphasizing the importance of the Roman road network in connecting the vast empire.
- The road continued to be used during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, playing a key role in developing Europe’s road systems.
- Today, the Appian Way is a popular tourist attraction and an important historical site, with the Appia Antica regional park preserving a section of the ancient road for visitors to explore.
How to Get to the Appian Way
It is quite easy to get to the Appian Way, using public transport. You need to:
- Take the Metro to the Piramide station.
- Then, take a bus №118 from the station.
- Your stop will be “Catacombs of San Callisto.”
- From here, you can walk, use a bicycle, or bike to drive miles along the ancient Roman highway.
- Bike rental in Appia Antica Caffe: 9 am – to the sunset; On Monday 9 am – 1.30 pm.
- Price: 10 Euro an hour or 30 Euro for the day.
Moreover, there are many tour options available to the Appian Way.
History of Appian Way
The road was named after Appius Claudius Caecus, the Roman censor who began and completed the first section of a military road in 312 B.C. The road was constructed to create fast communication between Rome and Capua near Naples.
The Appian Way began at the Circus Maximus and passed along the Baths of Caracalla, eventually, the Aurelian Wall. Its distance was 132 miles, and it took 5 to 6 days to pass it. Talking about the first line, it stretched for 30 miles between Rome and Terracina. Moreover, the Appian Way was revolutionary for that period and was the first Roman road to feature lime cement.
The entire road is made of large slabs of stone
The part of the Appian Way is now called Via Sacra or Sacred Way, which begins at Capitoline Hill. The road borders Palatine Hill and Circus Maximus.
The crucifixion of Spartacus
In ancient times, it was forbidden to bury the dead on the territory of Rome, and they were planted along the roads out of the city. Famous people were buried in tombs for themselves or for the whole family.
However, besides numerous tombs alongside the Appian Way, there are also monuments such as the Christian Catacombs, the Temple of Hercules, the Church Quo Vadis (Saint Peter met Christ there), remains of the gothic Church of San Nicola, and tombs of San Sebastian, San Domitilla, San Callixtus, and the tomb of Cecilia Metella. Moreover, the Circus Maxentius is near the tomb of Romulus, which is one of the most preserved Roman circuses. Gallienus and Geta Roman Emperors were buried there.
In 73 B.C., a slave revolt appeared against the Romans under the ex-gladiator Spartacus
He managed to defeat many Roman armies in two years of conflict. Still, when he tried to escape, Spartacus moved his forces in the Apulia/Calabria trap and was pinned between Legions from the whole Empire. Romans considered his defeat as a loss of the right to life for the slaves. Later, in 71 B.C., 6 thousand slaves, including Spartacus, were crucified on the 200-kilometer of the Appian Way from Rome to Capua.
Catacombs
Below the Appian Way, you can find miles of tunnels, known as catacombs, where early Christians were buried, and during the times of persecution, hidden churches held services. The most famous of them are the Catacomb of Callixtus and the Catacomb of Saint Sebastian.
Reccomend to visit private tour to Catacombs and Crypts.
Appian Way Regional Park
Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica or The Appian Way Regional Park is on Via Appia Antica and is a colossal old park owned by different individuals. This area is occupied by farmers whose income goes from agriculture. It is famous for its ancient treasures, ruins, and archeological remains. Moreover, there are old churches and catacombs such as Annia Regilla and Tomba Tomba. Other famous sites are Villa dei Quintili, Caffarella Valley, Farnese, Tormacrancia, Circo di Massenzio, and Via Latina.
The park is around 3400 hectares and protected since 1988.
There are bicycles available for rent and restaurants to stop at for lunch/dinner. Moreover, there are more than 70 kinds of animals in the park. Among them, you can meet rabbits, frogs, foxes, salamanders, turtles, and other species.
Via Latina Tombs
The Tombs of Via Latina are mainly from the 2nd century A.D., located along a stretch of the old Roman road of Via Latina, within the Regional Park. The tombs were discovered in 1857-58. Its excavations were maintained by Pope Pius IX.
Caffarella Park
The Caffarella Park is bordered on the northern side by the Via Latina and on the southern side by the Appian Way. It begins from the Aurelian Wall up to the Via del’Almone. There is a working farm with 78 species of birds and other animals. Herodes Atticus was a Greek who became a senator of Rome and married Annia Regilla, acquired the land of a large estate known as the Triopius, which occupied much of the area. There you will find the tomb Annia Regilla and the Nymphaeum of Egeria.
Aqueduct Park
The Parco degli Acquedotti is a public park of around 240 hectares. It is named after the aqueducts that split it, the Aqua Felix and the Aqua Claudia. Also, there you will find the remains of the Villa delle Vignacce.
Tor Fiscale Park
Six Roman aqueducts go to Rome through the Tor Fiscale Park. Over the centuries, it was a famous encampment from armies that tried to invade Rome as it was on the Via Latina, very close to the Appian Way.
Villa of The Quintilii
The Villa of the Quintilii (Villa dei Quintili) is an ancient Roman villa located on the fifth mile of the Appian Way. It was constructed by the brothers Sextus Quintilius Maximus and Sextus Quintilius Condianus during the 2nd century. Moreover, the villa contained a thermae fed by its aqueduct and a hippodrome from the 4th century.
Undoubtedly, it is worth visiting the Appian Way. The road is full of history and represents ancient times. It would be an excellent choice for a day trip in the sunny weather, discovering Roman ruins, monuments, and catacombs and taking beautiful photos.
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