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It was built towards the end of the IV century BC, in 312, to ensure swift and direct communication between Rome and Capua. Finally, in the II century BC, it reached Brindisi, the main harbour for ships bound for Greece and the East. Built in 312 BC, it was slowly extended and, by 191 BC, it reached the port of Brindisi, over 550km southeast of the city (along the “heel” of Italy). The Via Appia Antica is the old Roman Appian Way, one of the oldest and most important roads from Rome. 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. The Appian Way | Via Appia, Italy The Appian Way or Via Appia was one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic. How To Get To Via Appia Antica First and foremost, the Via Appia was built as a military instrument. The Gate was called Porta Appia, and in the Middle Ages was called Porta San Sebastiano for the homonymous Basilica built on the catacombs of the holy Christian martyr, along Via Appia. Via Appia Antica, or the Appian Way, is the reason why we hear the phrase ‘all roads lead to Rome‘. Latin: Via Appia. Appius was a Roman statesman, legal expert, and an author of early Roman history. One last note: sometimes the Via Traiana, a variant of the original Appian Way built in 109 CE, is known as simply the Appia or Appia Antica, with some ancient sections still visible. Via Appia Antica, built in 325 BC and named after the builder, the Roman Consul Appius Claudius Caecus, was part of Via Appia abandoned in the middle ages in favor of Via Appia Nuova. First built around 312 BC, it was originally an important military road. Over the years, the original course from Benevento to Brindisi was gradually substituted by a shorter, easier route across the region of Puglia until, at the beginning of the II century AD, the Emperor Trajanus turned this into a real alternative itinerary and gave it his name. It was the city’s gateway to the East that connected Rome with Capua. Wednesday, 19th September 2012 by Ian Brown. A new Appian Way was built in parallel with the old one in 1784 as far as the Alban Hills region. From the tomb of Cecilia Metella there is hardly any traffic, because the road is difficult to drive for cars due to the pavement. Built in 312 BC, it was slowly extended and, by 191 BC, it reached the port of Brindisi, over 550km southeast of the city (along the “heel” of Italy). Outstanding feats of engineering, bridges, viaducts, galleries, ensured an unwaveringly straight course, across expanses of water, swamps and mountains; many of these works are practicable to this day. The Appian Way (or Via Appia Antica) is one of the first and most famous roads in Rome's history. It is also called Regina Viarum (“Queen amongst Streets”) and was built in 312 BC by the censor Appio Claudio Cieco, who had earlier had the first aqueduct built in Rome. The Via Appia Antica is on Sunday a popular excursion destination and is closed for cars. Known as the Queen of Roads, it was the southward road leading from the porta Appia in Rome to Brundisium on the Adriatic coast. This ancient and storied path connected Rome to the port town of Brindisi and enabled movement and trade to flourish throughout the empire. These tombs and memorials are today quite characteristic for the Via Appia Antica and produce a wonderful whole. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", the top six landmarks to see along the Appian Way. During his career as a Roman censor, which saw Appius supervising the government’s finances, he implemented a number of crucial undertakings that benefitted Rome from a strategic standpoint; in addition to the first major road system, Appius also oversaw the building of the first aqueduct of Rome, the Aqua Appia, that provided drinking water for the city. The new Via Appia Traiana allowed travellers to go from Rome to Brindisi in 13-14 days covering a total of 365 miles, just under 540 km. First the dirt road was leveled and small stones and mortar were placed on top. along the Tyrrhenian coast, the Via Flaminia (220) through Umbria, and… A wealth of ancient attractions, such as catacombs, and the more modern Cinecittà, where many famous films have been set. Via Appia Antica: Tomb of Cecilia Metella Shortly after the excavation you reach the imposing tomb of Cecilia Metella. Once Via Appia extended past the Aurelian Walls, it traveled through what used to be considered the wealthy suburbs of Rome. Originally built by the Quintili family, the villa was taken over by Emperor Comodus when he had the bothers executed in 182 – 183 AD and the villa became imperial property, enlarged and used by emperors until the 5th century. Along the Via Appia Antica: Quo Vadis Domine and grave of Priscilla. 1 mi) Built sometime between 250 and 300 A.D., the Catacombs of San Callisto (St. Callixtus) hold the graves of 500,000 Christians, including dozens of martyrs and 16 pontiffs. The Appian Way was built in stages, but was begun in the third century B.C. Nowadays, it is a popular but somewhat off the beaten track stretch of road that has great ruins, catacombs, and monuments to visit. and built the first triumvirate together with Caesar and Pompey. In it’s entirety it spanned 350 miles(563kms). First built around 312 BC, it was originally an important military road. Via Appia Antica (Ancient Appian Way) Rome became an empire by expanding beyond their small city of Rome throughout Italy, and spreading out into Europe, the Middle East and Africa. And although the road was an important part of Rome’s history for thousands of years, it required restoration. Around 190 BC The road was extended to Brundisium (today Brindisi), which became the most important trans-shipment center for goods and slaves from the Orient. The structure around the elegant tomb was added in the 14th century by the Caetani’s family, during the built of a castle, surrounded by decorated towers, double windows, and a little church inside the walls: in the castrum you can visit the Museo dell'Appia, rich in inscriptions, statues, and sarcophaguses from Via Appia Antica itself. In it’s entirety it spanned 350 miles(563kms). And it was crucial. Large stones made up the bulk of its construction and a softer gravel that was compacted between the rocks cemented it. For the first 90 km Via Appia ran straight from Rome to Terracina and was flanked, for the last 28 km, by a canal collecting waters of the reclamation works; travellers could then change to boats instead of travelling in wagons or on horseback. According to the Roman historian Livy, it was built by the censor Appius Claudius Caecus and named after him. The sections of Via Appia Antica which are closer to Rome are flanked by upper class private properties; high walls prevent seeing the ruins of the tombs which were built behind those on the very edge of the road. Radosław Botev. View down the ancient Via Appia Antica in Rome, Italy. Via Appia Antica Rome History and description. All the roads had sidewalks and milestones indicating the main distances and to further facilitate travel, there were post stations at regular intervals providing change of horses and accommodation. 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