Via Appia
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/ Track of Via Appia near Casal RotondoPhoto: Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons -
/ A few tracks of the original route called "Via Appia Antica" are still preserved.Photo: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ The catacombs of San CallistoPhoto: GerardM, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ The catacombs of San Sebastiano are located underneath the basilica "San Sebastiano Fuori Le Mura“.Photo: Lalupa, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Inside the catacombsPhoto: Patrick Denker, CC BY, flickr.com
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/ Parco Regionale dell’Appia AnticaPhoto: Herb Neufeld, CC BY, flickr.com
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/ Still among Italy's hidden gems: Lago Albano.Photo: CC0, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Rocca di Papa is located near Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani.Photo: Ra Boe, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Lago di Fondi, Italy's largest coastal lakePhoto: Ra Boe, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ An attractive destination for hikers: Lago di ConzaPhoto: Giovannicastiglione, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Taranto pier "Molo Sant'Eligio"Photo: Asia, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Cathedral of BrindisiPhoto: Freddyballo, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Seaside promenade at BrindisiPhoto: Fiurl11, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
The “Queen among the streets“ was one of the most important trade routes of the Roman Empire and since then it luckily hasn’t lost any of its charm. Alongside the route you can find picturesque parks, idyllic sea landscapes, ancient Christian graves and several cities with historic flair.
Via Appia is considered one of the most significant historical routes of Italy. Its beginning dates back to the third century AD when traders from all over the continent roamed Southern Europe to sell their goods.
The road was originally built as a connection road between Rome in central-western Italy and the Apulian port city of Brindisi on the coast of the Adriatic Sea in Eastern Italy.
During the Middle Ages it was used by pilgrims who came to Rome to visit the grave of Saint Peter. Back then, Via Appia was labelled “Queen among the streets”, but nowadays it isn’t preserved completely. Nonetheless, you can visit a few well-preserved road fractions at Lazio, Campania, Basilicata and Apulia.
Author’s recommendation
Near the city center of Rome you can find the catacombs of San Sebastiano and San Callisto. They’re located at the border of Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica and can be visited with a tour guide.
Safety information
Please check road conditions before starting the tour.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Departing from Porta de San Sebastiano, we head for East on Viale delle Mure Latine and turn right at the next crossing into Via Talamone. Then we turn right again and follow Via Cilicia until Piazza Tusculo where we take the second exit which leads to a roundabout. There we take the second exit, which is already Via Appia Nuova ( signposted as “SS 7“). We follow SS 7 for 3 km and get to the outskirts of Rome. Passing by Ciampino, we get to Castel Gandolfo where we leave SS 7 to take a detour to Lago Albano and Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani. By doing so, w’re crossing the area of Grottaferrata, Frascati, Monte Porzio Catone, Monte Compatri and Rocca Priora. After that, we return to SS 7 at the city of Terracina. Following SS 7 in northeastern direction we’re passing by the lake Lago di Fondi and cross Fondi and Itri. At Formia we approach the coast. We continue in eastern direction for 12 km and reach the city of Minturno. After further 20 km we pass by Sessa Aurunca and reach Caserta after 40 km. After crossing Benvenuto and Atripalda, we see Lago di Conza. Between Monticchio Bagni and Rionero in Vulture we pass by the lakes Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo, then we get to Lago di Serra di Corvo by Rionero in Vulture and Venosa. At the height of Matera we get back to the southern coastline near Taranto. Heading east, there are only about 65 km left until the city of Brindisi.
Note
Public transport
Public transport friendly
From the airport of Rom-Ciampino with bus line 720 heading for Laurentina, until Vigna Murata (duration: 20 minutes approx.), then from Tor Carbone/Ardeatina with bus line 218 in direction of Porta S. Giovanni until Porta San Sebastiano (duration: 10 minutes approx.)
Getting there
From the airport of Rom-Ciampino by highway SS 7 (Via Appia Nuova) and Viale delle Terme di Caracalla to Porta San Sebastiano (total length: 15 km approx.).
Parking
There are parking facilities at the airport, in the city centers and near the lakes alongside the route.
Coordinates
Equipment
For the stopovers along the road you’ll need sturdy shoes with a good profile, warm clothes and rainwear.
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