The Appian Way was started in 312 BC as a military supply road during the Second Samnite War, but it quickly became an important route for trade and communications. Sections of the Appian Way still survive, some in their original state. Today we set out to walk one of the original, unimproved sections of the Appian Way.

Note the ruts worn into the stone from the countless carts traveling the road over centuries. The Appian Way was an important artery for Rome, and it is lined by many tombs of important dignitaries. Here is one that dates back to 30 BC.

Here is another building along the road. We included this because it offers an important reminder that life goes on. In a field beside the building, a group of young boys were playing football (soccer), oblivious to the history all around them.

We were walking an original section of the Appian Way, but clearly there had been ongoing “roadworks” to maintain the road over the centuries. Some of these repairs appear to have taken advantage of local “rubble”and reused a piece of a broken column.

I’m a bit of a history buff, so it was special for me to be able to walk the road in quiet contemplation of the history beneath my feet.

There were buildings you could visit along the road, and one had a garden with flowers still in bloom.

Like everywhere else around Rome, there are so many pieces of ancient stone that have emerged from the earth and lie by the road waiting to be reassembled.

This next one is interesting because it was an old house that looks like it had random pieces of stone and pottery built into the wall. I have no idea what the reason was for this.

This next one appeals to my sense of humour. If I didn’t know better, I’d think this indicated an early WiFi hotspot.

Sure enough, as we were heading back home, we were treated to yet another view of a Rose-ringed Parakeet eating Magnolia seeds. This time you can actually see the ring around its neck.