PARCO DELL'APPIA ANTICA
Visit the Museum of the Walls, located in the San Sebastian Gate.
Via Appia exits the historic center through Porta San Sebastiano. It is named after Appio Claudio, who had it paved. In 268 B.C., the Appia Antica was extended as far as Benevento, and in 191 B.C. it reached Brindisi, the main port for Greece and the Orient. It became the Mediterranean world's main communication route. The Appia is crossed by the Druso arch (an archway that allowed the aqueduct carrying water to Caracalla's thermal baths to cross the causeway). Aurelian's ramparts were built in record time: from 270 to 275, to protect the city from barbarian pressure on the frontiers. They were more than 19 km long, nearly 8 m high, and every 12 m there was a tower and even an internal passageway to enable armies to move quickly. Of the 19 km, almost 10 are still well preserved.
Justpast the Porte Saint-Sébastien, still on the Via Appia, a few meters after the crossroads, a white marble column stands out. This is the first milestone on the Via Appia, marking the distance from the Roman Forum. It was equivalent to one Roman mile, or around 1.5 km. The Via Appia also crosses the Roman countryside.
The Appia Antica archaeological park manages six sites, all accessible with the same ticket (€12, valid for one week): the Santa Cecilia mausoleum, the Villa dei Quintili-Santa Maria Nova, the Lucrezia Romana Antiquarium, the Capo di Bove complex, the Via Latina tombs (booking required) and the Villa di Sette Bassi (booking required).
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