The Appian Way was one of the most important roads of Ancient Rome. The first leg was completed more than 2300 years ago, and stretched from the Roman Forum to Brindisi, 400 miles to the south. It was instrumental in Rome’s military victories over the people of Southern Italy.
I spent 5 hours walking on the Appian Way. The first stop along the way was the Christian catacombs, and my first tour. Here is what I learned during the tour. There are 20 kilometers (12 miles) of tunnels. A half million Christians were buried here. There are over 60 catacombs in Italy, but only 6 are now open. This one was the largest. It was used from the 1st through 3rd centuries. The Popes and martyrs were buried here. But when Constantine the Great converted to Christianity, then there was more money for the churches to purchase land, and the catacombs went into disuse. In the 9th century, with the Arab invasions of Rome, the Popes and martyrs’ bodies were hidden in churches. The catacombs were forgotten and only rediscovered 800 years later.
Interesting bridge on my walk from the Metro stop to The Appian Way.
Some old stones and then some older ones.
I really like these "Dr. Seuss Umbrella Trees"
Circus of Maxentius
I just really liked the bougainvillea next to the old structure.
For my evening walk as the sun was setting, I walked across the bridge to the area called Testaccio. I came upon a square with hundreds of people. Kids playing soccer. Kids on bikes. Young parents with their strollers, old people, teenagers. They were just hanging out. What a beautiful thing. It made me realize that my longest conversation has been, “Which train track to Roma Centrale?” Besides my internal dialogue, it has been quiet over here. Then I came upon a church, and was drawn in. This church had bare walls but still a very high ceiling. There is something so calming about the spaciousness of a church. Interesting that I should seek out quiet when it has been just that for five days now. And then on the way home, I watched an older couple about to cross a street. A car raced by. The man grabbed the woman’s hand, and then guided her across.
