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The Aurelian Walls (Le Mura Aureliane) in Rome were built in the third century A.D. and are about 19 kilometers long. Works began by Emperor Aurelian during a time of insecurity throughout Italy and the empire. Fortification walls were restored several times in antiquity but are still well-preserved. Moreover, they had 17 significant gates and several smaller openings.
Emperor Aurelian
After five centuries of unopposed domination, Emperor Aurelian (270-275 A.D.) decided that the city needed a defensive wall to protect it against invaders as the barbarian tribes near the northern borders of the Roman Empire.
From the first century B.C. until the third century A.D., Rome’s military forces were powerful and the city didn’t need a protective wall.
However, a small number of soldiers were tasked with patrolling the fortifications, and the Aurelian Walls helped protect the city until the 19th century.
Building of the Wall
Initially, the Aurelian Walls were 19 kilometers long (12 miles) and 6-8 meters high (20 feet). The wall included a square tower of about 30 meters (100 feet). Moreover, it was completed by Probus, the successor of Emperor Aurelian.
The Aurelian wall was larger and stronger than the wall of Servius Tullius and enclosed all of the Seven Hills of Rome and the Trastevere district.
Structures
Several significant monuments and buildings are incorporated into the structure. These buildings include Castel Sant’Angelo, Amphitheater Castrense, the Pyramid of Cestius, and a section of the Aqua Claudia aqueduct.
The inscriptions attest to the restoration of the wall by Arcadius and Honorius in 403 on the Portae Portuensis, Praenestina, and Tiburtina. Moreover, repairs by Theodoric and by Cassiodorus are attested by brick stamps.
Exciting Facts about the Aurelian Walls
Here are five intriguing numerical and architectural facts that highlight the impressive scale and historical significance of Rome’s Aurelian Walls:
- Remarkably, the Aurelian Walls were constructed in just about five years (between 271 and 275 A.D.), a rapid timeline given their immense length of around 12 miles (19 kilometers).
- The walls incorporated around 380 defensive towers, spaced roughly every 100 Roman feet (about 29.6 meters), strategically positioned to allow defenders clear lines of sight and effective communication.
- Approximately one-sixth of the wall’s total length consists of pre-existing structures—such as the Pyramid of Cestius and segments of ancient aqueducts—demonstrating exceptional Roman efficiency in construction and resourcefulness in incorporating existing infrastructure.
- The Aurelian Walls averaged around 11 feet (3.4 meters) in thickness at the base, tapering slightly upward. Their robust design allowed these fortifications to withstand attacks and remain largely intact for nearly 18 centuries.
- The walls defended Rome for over 1,500 years—remarkably, they were last actively used militarily in 1870, during the capture of Rome that ultimately completed Italy’s unification. Their lasting effectiveness underscores the extraordinary durability of Roman engineering.
The Wall Today
Nowadays, the Aurelian wall is the largest ancient monument in Rome. Also, walls are still used as a boundary of the historic center.
About two-thirds of the Aurelian Wall are well-preserved even today.
There is the Museo delle Mura near the San Sebastian Gate, where you can learn more about the history of the wall. Some of the most monumental gates are the Porta Maggiore and Porta Asinaria. Unfortunately, Rome’s walls are not walkable because of their structure and security reasons. However, it is possible to follow the primary set of walls along their original perimeter.
You can check if the address of your hotel is inside the Aurelian walls.
Today, Rome’s guests are familiar with the Aurelian Wall boundaries because it is used by taxi drivers as a perimeter for different fare levels. You can read more about the taxi fares here. Also, you can use our taxi calculator.
It is worth saying that the Aurelian Wall is one of the most significant, extensive, and ancient monuments of the Eternal City. Nowadays, the central part of the city is measured by this wall, and you can see it from several parts of Rome.
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