{"id":9580,"date":"2022-01-28T08:29:53","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T08:29:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/appian-way-rome\/"},"modified":"2024-09-11T13:09:21","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T13:09:21","slug":"appian-way-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/appian-way-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"The Appian Way in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Looking for a breath of fresh air between visits to Rome’s historic center? The Via Appia Antica (Appian Way) is a must-see stop in the Roman capital. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a perfect chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the Eternal City and explore the surrounding area.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tip:<\/strong> To explore the Appian Way freely, Captain Ulysses recommends renting bikes (electric, mountain, or city bikes)<\/strong><\/a>. If you prefer a guided tour, check out this electric bike tour.<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Insider<\/strong> Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Top tip:<\/strong> Free guided city tour<\/a> (in English)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodations:<\/strong> all our tips recommendations <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your stay:<\/strong> the complete guide to Rome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Rome with children:<\/strong> all our tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Brief Bistory of the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Origins of the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Via Appia Antica was built in 312 BC under the supervision of Appius Claudius Caecus, the Roman censor from whom it takes its name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially connecting Rome to Capua (in Campania), the Appian Way was gradually extended and eventually reached Brindisi in Apulia (in the “heel” of Italy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of this ambitious project? To strengthen Rome\u2019s influence in southern Italy and facilitate the movement of troops and goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paved with large slabs, the Appian Way measures 4.1 meters \/ 13.1 ft wide, allowing two chariots to pass each other with ease. Pedestrians had their own dirt paths along the sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tombs and Catacombs of the Appian Way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In ancient Rome, burials were forbidden within the city walls. Cemeteries, tombs, and catacombs had to be located “outside the walls.”
This is why the Appian Way is lined with funerary monuments and catacombs, many of which can still be visited today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Appian Way Through History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Appian Way fell into disuse. During the Middle Ages, it was primarily used by pilgrims traveling to southern Italy en route to the Holy Land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 18th<\/sup> century, Pope Pius VI ordered its restoration, not least because many Christians\u2014including several popes\u2014had been buried along the Via Appia (in tombs or catacombs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the Appian Way is part of a protected national park covering 3,500 hectares just outside Rome. Bordered by pine and cypress trees, with historic monuments dotted along the way, the ancient Roman road offers a postcard-perfect landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Appian<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visiting the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What to see along the Via Appia Antica? Follow the guide as Captain Ulysses takes you on a tour of the main sites and points of interest along the Appian Way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udeb2 Exploring the Appian Way \ud83d\udeb2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sites along the Appian Way can be spread out, so many visitors choose to explore the road by bike (traditional or electric).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information:<\/strong>
\u2013 Bike rentals on the Appian Way (electric, mountain, or city bikes)<\/strong><\/a>
\u2013 Electric bike guided tour of the Appian Way (several languages available)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Porta San Sebastiano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located within Rome and incorporated into the Aurelian Wall\u2014a fortified wall built to protect the city in ancient times\u2014Porta San Sebastiano (or Porta Appia) marks the start of the Appian Way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The catacomb of Saint Callixtus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Further along the Via Appia, the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus are among the largest and most iconic in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in the 2nd<\/sup> century AD, they span 15 hectares over four levels (though only a small part is open to the public). Sixteen popes and many Christian martyrs are buried here.
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Tours o the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus are guided only.
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The Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls and the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian

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The catacombs were built in the 3rd<\/sup> century AD, followed by the construction of the basilica in the 4th<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saint Sebastian\u2019s remains were interred here in 350 before being moved to the Vatican in the 9th<\/sup> century to protect them from a Saracen raid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legend has it that the remains of Saint Peter and Saint Paul were also briefly kept here before being moved to their respective basilicas\u2014St. Peter\u2019s<\/a> and St. Paul\u2019s<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The basilica was completely rebuilt in the 17th<\/sup> century by architects Flaminio Ponzio and Giovanni Vasanzio.
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The Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls is one of the seven churches traditionally visited during the Jubilee pilgrimage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian are accessible through the basilica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufe0f Book Your Tickets \ufe0f<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019re visiting during the high season (summer or school holidays), it\u2019s best to book your visit in advance to avoid long lines: guided tour of the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian.<\/strong><\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Circus of Maxentius<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Built in the 4th<\/sup> century AD by Emperor Maxentius, this large hippodrome was dedicated to chariot and horse races. Though smaller than the Circus Maximus<\/a>, it still had a capacity of 10,000 spectators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though little remains today, the Circus of Maxentius was originally part of a vast complex that also included a palace and a funerary monument dedicated to the Emperor’s son, Romulus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Circus<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Built in the 1st<\/sup> century AD, this is perhaps the best-preserved funerary monument along the Appian Way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It houses the remains of Cecilia Metella, daughter-in-law of Crassus (who formed the First Triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Pompey).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mausoleum is cylindrical in shape and impressive in its dimensions: almost 30 metres (100 ft) in diameter and 11 metres (36 ft) high. It was later transformed into a fortress during the Middle Ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Villa of the Quintili<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Further along the Appian Way lies the Villa of the Quintili, built in the 2nd<\/sup> century AD by the Quintilius brothers. It was later confiscated by Emperor Commodus\u2014who was assassinated there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Practical Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To visit the Appian Way, you have two options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n