Discover the Via Appia Antica in Rome, a blend of history, nature, and ankle hazards! Explore Roman ruins and quirky anecdotes.
Appia Antica: A Dip into the Past and Potholes
Welcome to the Via Appia Antica, where you can stroll like an ancient Roman among millennia-old ruins and... surprises underfoot! This road, built in 312 BC by the visionary (or maybe just very stubborn) Appius Claudius Caecus, connects Rome to Brindisi with its 560 kilometers of adventure. Forget modern smooth sidewalks, here every step is a challenge, and every stone a potential rendezvous with the ground.
Walking along the Via Appia is like taking a literal dip into the past. Imagine strolling among towering cypress trees and ancient tombs, feeling a bit like an emperor, a bit like Indiana Jones. Around every corner, you can stumble upon monuments like the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, which isn’t just another old Roman tomb but a super tomb from the 1st century BC. And if you think today's houses are big, wait until you see the Villa of the Quintili: a noble residence with a spectacular view of the Roman countryside, perfect for a picnic (but watch out for ants).
The road, paved with large basalt stones, offers an authentic Roman experience: get ready to feel every cobblestone underfoot, and maybe even to hop a bit. But don’t worry, it’s all part of the fun. And if you really don’t want to risk it, you can always walk on the grass beside it, but where would the fun be in that?
"From Wars to Icicles: The Evolution of the Via Appia
The Via Appia Antica, with its over two thousand years of history, is one of the oldest and most important roads of the Roman world. Built to connect Rome to southern Italy, it was initially used for military purposes, allowing legions to march quickly to battles. But don’t worry, today the only battle you’ll face will be against the protruding stones.
Over the centuries, the Via Appia has seen it all: emperors in grand pomp, merchants with their overloaded carts, and even some unsuspecting tourists who found themselves in an involuntary history bath. And while the ancient Romans traversed it with chariots and horses, you can do the same with a good pair of comfortable shoes and maybe a spare ankle brace.
In addition to its military uses, the Via Appia soon became an important commercial route, with goods of all kinds traveling up and down Italy. Today, you can imagine yourself as a Roman merchant while you stroll among the ruins, perhaps dreaming of selling your olive oil or wine.
When Romans Went on Vacation on the Via Appia
Walking on the Via Appia Antica is like flipping through a book of quirky anecdotes. Take, for example, Emperor Claudius, who is said to have loved the road so much that he ordered it to be constantly repaired because no one loved potholes more than him. Then there's the story of Saint Peter, who is said to have met the risen Jesus right on the Via Appia in an episode known as "Quo Vadis."
But it’s not just emperors and saints who left their mark on this road. It's said that Marcus Tullius Cicero, the famous orator, once lost a bet with a friend and had to walk the entire length of the Via Appia wearing a pink toga. And then there are modern tourists, who every year venture onto the road armed with selfie sticks and water bottles, only to discover that walking on cobblestones is more challenging than it seems.
Appia Antica: The Road that Makes You Travel Back in Time (and Fall)
If you love walks that make you feel like a past explorer, the Via Appia Antica is the right place for you. This road, with its imposing ruins and breathtaking landscape, is a unique experience that will take you back in time. Sure, you’ll need to watch out for protruding stones and maybe test your balancing skills, but it’s absolutely worth it. Rating: 9/10.
Why I Recommend It
I recommend it because the Via Appia Antica is a perfect example of how humans can create something magnificent and, at the same time, ankle traps. A place where history speaks to you, even if sometimes it's more of a warning shout!
Why I Don’t Recommend It
I don’t recommend it because if you’re afraid of potholes, this is not the place for you. The Via Appia Antica is beautiful, but also a bit cruel to those who don’t watch where they step.
