The Via Appia, known as the “Queen of Roads,” stands as one of the greatest engineering feats of the ancient world. Built in 312 BC by order of Consul Appius Claudius Caecus, this road connected Rome to Brindisi, serving as a vital artery for trade and links to the East. Its route not only had a profound economic and military impact on ancient Rome but continued to be used in subsequent centuries, including the Middle Ages, as a pilgrimage route and a means of communication between north and south.
The stretch that passes through Itri retains its imposing character. The ancient basalt paving, restored by Emperor Caracalla in AD 216, runs parallel to the modern Via Appia Nuova, winding through the scenic Sant’Andrea gorges. Flanking it, beaten stone sidewalks testify to the care given to travellers.
Among the archaeological highlights are the rest stations, known as postes, essential for horse changes, and the polygonal walls enclosing certain sections. Visitors can also admire mausoleums, bridges, and villas that enriched the Appian landscape, along with a 1st-century BC opus incertum cistern, an example of Roman hydraulic engineering.
Walking the route towards Fondi, the Appia offers glimpses of rare beauty: centuries-old olive groves, citrus orchards, and typical Mediterranean vegetation, including holm oaks, strawberry trees, and maritime pines. The journey culminates at the Spanish-era bridge, commissioned in 1568 by Philip II of Spain, a masterpiece uniting history and nature in an unforgettable blend.
The Ancient Via Appia is much more than a road: it is a journey through centuries, where every stone and tree narrates stories of men, travels, and civilisations.
