The Appian Way

The Via Appia Antica is the old Roman Appian Way, which ran from Rome down to the port of Brindisi. It was the most important of all the Roman trade routes and is the only Roman landmark mentioned in the Bible. The stretch close to Rome is now part of a nature and archaeological park and we’ve chosen to come on a Sunday as it is closed to traffic.

We got off the bus and picked up a map at the visitor centre close to the church of Domine Quo Vadis, where legend says St Peter met the risen Christ then set off The Appian Way was an important part of early Christian Rome and its verges would have been lined with pagan and Christian sites, including underground catacombs of the early Christians. Roman law forbade burial within the city and most Romans were cremated, but for some reason, the Christians chose to dig tunnels out of the soft tufa rock. We would have taken a look, but one complex was closed for the day and the other shut for lunch as we arrived … Italy!

We kept walking and reached the remains of the Villa and Circus of Maxentius, where it was possible to make out the starting gates for the huge chariot racetrack.

Further along we came to the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, converted to a castle in the C14 but now just another ruin in the fields.

Everyone was was out on a Sunday – families for a short stroll, walkers with purpose, lots of people who had hired bikes and dog walkers – all enjoying a sunny day and a breath of fresh air so close to the bustling city.

From here on the road goes through proper countryside and parts of the road are still made of original Roman slabs.

The verges contain bits and pieces of ancient shrines and tombs and it all felt quite atmospheric and we stopped on the way to eat our sandwich and watch people passing by.

We walked on to the Villa dei Quintili, a huge suburban villa built by an influential Roman family and wandered through the ruins then made our way back to the city.

Luckily we passed Billy’s reminding us it had to be gelato time and today I thought my amaretto cherry and fruits of the forest combo was the winner!

Later we went to SinFraso Bistro for dinner where salad and mixed seafood pasta for me and bruschetta and burger for Chris brought us to the end of the day.