"Regina Viarum" — Queen of Roads. Built by censor Appius Claudius Caecus in 312 BC to connect Rome to Capua (later extended to Brindisi — 540km). The Via Appia was the first Roman HIGHWAY: straight, paved, cambered for drainage, wide enough for two carts to pass. It was the template for 250,000 miles of Roman roads that connected an empire from Britain to the Euphrates, all measured from the Milliarium Aureum in the Forum. Today you can WALK on the original basalt paving stones — the same stones that Horace walked returning to Rome, that St. Peter walked fleeing the city (Quo Vadis), that Spartacus's 6,000 crucified followers lined for 200km.
The paving: Original basalt polygonal stones begin at approximately km 3 from Porta San Sebastiano. The wheel ruts carved by 2,300 years of cart traffic are visible — run your hand across them. These grooves were cut by iron-rimmed wheels when Caesar was alive. The tombs: Roman law forbade burial within the city walls. So the great families built their tombs ALONG the roads, facing outward — advertisements for their legacy to every traveler entering Rome. Tomb of Cecilia Metella (1st century BC, km 3) — the massive cylindrical tomb that became a medieval fortress. €5. Villa dei Quintili (km 5) — the largest suburban villa, so beautiful that Emperor Commodus murdered the owners to take it. Included in Appia Antica ticket.
The catacombs along the road: San Callisto (16 popes buried, €8). San Sebastiano (the original "catacomb," €8). Domitilla (17km of tunnels, nearby). The Quo Vadis church: Where St. Peter, fleeing Nero's persecution, allegedly met Christ walking toward Rome. "Domine, quo vadis?" (Lord, where are you going?). Christ answered: "I am going to Rome to be crucified again." Peter turned back, returned to Rome, and was crucified upside down. The small church (km 1) has a marble slab said to bear Christ's footprints. Whatever you believe, the story is 2,000 years old and it happened HERE.
SUNDAY is essential. The road is CLOSED TO TRAFFIC on Sundays — you walk and bike on the ancient pavement without cars. On weekdays, traffic shares the road (dangerous, unpleasant). Bike rental: Appia Antica Info Point (Via Appia Antica 58/60) — €3/hour, €15/day. Start at Porta San Sebastiano (where the Aurelian Wall crosses the road — climb the Museo delle Mura for free wall-walk views). Walk or bike south. The best section: km 3 to km 8 — original paving, tombs, Villa dei Quintili, Parco degli Acquedotti visible to the east. Bus 118 from Colosseo drops you at the start. Return the same way or continue to Parco degli Acquedotti. Day 5 of Rome → · All Roman roads →