Ancient Sites of Rome: Via Appia Antica and Capitoline Hill
A trip to Rome, Italy allows tourists to explore some of the greatest works of art, historic attractions, and architecture in the world. Travelers can pay a visit to the Via Appia Antica and discover one of the most significant roads of the city or see what’s left of Capitoline Hill , one of the seven notable ancient hills of Rome.
Via Appia Antica and Catacombs
In ancient Rome, the Via Appian (also known as the Appian Way) was one of the most important roads in the city with construction for the road beginning in 312 BC. Today, the Appian Way is an archeological park that stretch 10 miles long. Alongside the road, ruins of tombs and monuments attract an assortment of tourists that come to enjoy a public tour of the catacombs and burial sites of early Christians. To learn more about the Appian Way, consider the following facts:
5 Facts , Via Appia Antica and Catacombs
1. Known as one of the earliest and strategically most important roads in Rome, the Appian Way was first constructed to accommodate military troops traveling outside the smaller region of greater Rome. It was also used as the main road for transporting military supplies.
2. In the past, the road was described as “the queen of the long roads.”
3. At first, the road was comprised of leveled dirt where small stones and mortar were applied. The icing on the cake consists of tight fitting, interlocking stones that create the flat surface of the road. It is said that some of the stones were laid so well that it was impossible to slide a knife between the cracks.
4. On the road, the crucifixion of Spartacus and his army (a total of 6,000 men) took place in 71 BC.
5. Currently, the Via Appia contains the longest stretch of straight road found in Europe, measuring a total length of 62 kilometers.
Capitoline Hill
Serving as the site where the Temple of Jupiter resided, Capitoline Hill was known as a representative center of Rome. Tourists that find their way to the attraction will encounter two museums , the oldest public museums in the world. Visit the Palazzo Nuovo to explore the ins and outs of Greek and Roman sculptures. A trip to the Palazzo dei Conservatori brings you face to face with art galleries, sculptures, and impressive frescoes. If you are looking for one of the best views of the Roman center, experience the Capitoline Hill. Other facts concerning this attraction includes:
3 Facts , Capitoline Hill
1. Capitoline Hill is located between the Forum and the Campus Martius , one of the seven hills of Rome , all of which were situated within the walls of the ancient city.
2. A visit to the Capitoline produces few ancient ground-level ruins, since over the years, numerous palaces in the Medieval and Renaissance style have covered the land.
3. The temple for the Capitoline Triad once stood on the hill , established by the fifth king of Rome, Tarquin the Elder. While little of it remains to this day, it was one of the largest and most attractive temples in the city. The remains of an early Etruscan temple and cult statue still survive on the site.