The Appian Way (Via Appia) was originally built by roman censor Appius Claudius Caecus in 312 BC, thus the name Appia. Connecting Rome to its distant settlements in southern Italy, it ran at first from Rome to Capua near Naples, then was extended by 244 BC to Brindisi on the south-east coast of Italy (nowadays Puglia). Called “regina viarum” (queen of roads), it allowed Romans to transport troops and supplies and it was one of the most important road of the Roman Empire.
Appian Way could be divided into two parts. The first part, easiest to reach, and more popular to visit due to its several archaeological sites such as Catacombs of San Callisto, Circus of Maxentius, Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the second part where the road becomes closed to most traffic and it’s ravishing for a walk in the countryside far away few miles from the city centre. It starts from Via Erode Attico – Via di Tor Carbone, and is less known by tourists, but very popular among locals.
After the overcrowded main tourist sites, it’s like being in a different world , surrounded by the peaceful of the countryside. During autumn and spring, when it’s not too hot and the days are longer, it would be amazing to take a stroll in the late afternoon, watching the sunset and the beautiful scenery. It seems stepping back in time, walking where ancient romans did, Appian Way didn’t change much since Roman Empire, it is still paved with ancient cobblestone and it’s not difficult to imagine it as it was before.
