If you take a holiday in Rome you are bound to want to explore the many ancient sights in the city. After all, Rome can do ancient landmarks better than most other world cities, so it makes sense to make the most of them.

If this is what you intend to do you should definitely think about walking along the Appian Way. Many of today’s modern roads in the countries Romans went to are based on the original paths the Romans used. But the Appian Way is one of the earliest genuine Roman roads that can still be seen in parts of Italy. When you are in Rome you can indeed do as the Romans did and walk along this very road.

The road itself is fascinating to look at. It is mostly constructed of cobbles and therefore provides a very uneven surface. If you intend to walk along as much of it as possible, ensure you have comfortable walking shoes otherwise you will feel the cobbles beneath your feet!

The road dates back to 312 BC, and it is named after the man who came up with the idea to build it. He was known as Appius Claudius Caesus. No doubt he would be amazed to see the road still there today and still being explored by the many people who visit Rome each year.

As you follow the road you will be walking along a major route through history. This is not just because of the road itself though. Also along parts of the route there are tombs of former residents of Rome. No burials were allowed to take place in the city, and so the major roads leading out from there were used as routes to burial places. Many tombs were constructed just by the roadside, and some can still be seen today.

And beneath the road there lies even more secrets. Catacombs and other curiosities are there beneath your feet as you walk the cobbles, giving another intriguing side of ancient Rome as it was back then. It certainly has much still to reveal to modern day man.