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| | Rome | |||
Rome – Old Appian Way Park (Parco dell'Appia Antica) |
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More than 2000 years ago, the Appian Way (Via Appia) was a well-travelled road that extended from Rome to the coast at Brindisi. The Romans buried their dead outside the city along the Appian Way, putting up splendid monuments and tombs. In the 3rd century, Christians were under a cloud in Rome, so they buried their dead in underground cemeteries, the catacombs, near the Appian Way. It's not far from the city center to the Appian Way, but kids can feel like they've stepped into ancient Rome. |
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The Old Appian Way Park is a perfect spot for a picnic (or a place to go on Mondays when the museums are closed). And it's a great place to escape the noisy city – here it's open countryside, green fields and forests, birds and crickets, working farms with horses and goats, and it's quiet and peaceful. |
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Rent bikes (kids bikes are available) at Via Cecila Metella. Bike north on the paths through the Valle della Caffarella, or go south on the dirt paths next to the Via Appia Antica (the road itself is pretty bumpy for bikes). At the cafe next to the bike rental, you can also buy a detailed map of the Old Appian Way Park, marked with paths. |
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Catacombs – |
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| The catacombs are a coolest places (quite literally) on the Appian Way. To visit the catacombs, it's guided tours only (tours are in multiple languages) but the guides are friendly to kids and encourage questions. Some of the catacombs are closed during the lunch hour, so check the schedule. | |||
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 St.
Sebastian Catacombs (Catacombe di San Sebastiano) is one of bigger
catacombs, with a labyrinth of galleries and tunnels. On the tour, the
guide takes you through a maze of tunnels, lined with catacombs, some
with the original marble plaques inscribed with "Rest in peace."
In addition to the Christian catacombs are three Roman tombs (like little
houses) with funerary urns. |
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| The St. Domitilla Catacombs (Catacombe di Domitilla) has the largest
underground basilica, and the tombs and galleries are beautifully painted. |
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| St.
Callixtus Catacombs (Catacombe di San Callisto) were the burial place
of the popes in the 3rd century, the tomb of St. Cecilia and other church
martyrs, as well as family tombs, decorated with lovely frescoes. |
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Along the Appian Way, two other small things of interest, the Circus of Maxentius (Circo di Massenzio), a wide stadium built by the Emperor Maxentius for horse races and the tomb of his son Romulus, and the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, a large fancy conical tomb that later became part of a fortress. | ||
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To see the actual Roman road, just walk south of Via Cecilia Metella on the Appia Antica. Here you'll see the huge smooth paving stones (basoli) on the road, shady trees and fields. The road was built in a remarkably straight line, wide enough for two carriages. As you walk along, you'll come across bits of crumbly tombs and funerary monuments – just imagine the Appian Way in its heyday, the "queen of roads," flanked with tombs in all shapes and sizes, as well as elegant villas, parks and gardens. | |
Tip: The sights to see on the Appian way are pretty spread out. From April to Sept., sign up for the Archeobus, which takes you to destinations on the Appian Way – you can get on and off as you like. Call for reservations, Mon.- Fri. 06 46952343. |
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Don't cool your heels waiting around to buy your tickets to the catacombs, due to long lines or the ticket kiosk is closed for lunch. Buy your tickets in advance, plus transportation from the center of Rome. |
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Catacombs Tickets | ||
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