A lovely walk or bicycle route is along Via Appia Antica, which is closed to traffic on holidays. The area that leads from Porta di San Sebastiano to Capo di Bove is particularly special, and leads to Casal Rotondo, while the urban route leads from the Terme di Caracalla to the Porta and could also be an interesting walk.

The Appia Antica was the most important consular road that led from Rome Capua and was later extended to Brindisi. It was actually called the “regina viarum”, which was also because of the numerous and splendid monuments along the route, many of which still exist. It was commissioned by Appio Claudio and went through a period of abandonment after the fall of the Empire.

However, it was restored when it was reopened by Pope PaoloVI. After the Porta di San Sebastiano, you will come across the Church of S. Maria in Palmis, now known as the Chiesa del Domine, quo vadis? According to legend, it was called this because of the question that St. Peter asked Jesus. Opposite the church is the crossroads where you will find Via Ardeatina, that separates from Via Appia Antica soon after the Roman tomb of Priscilla. Follow this road, and after around 1km, you will reach the Fosse Ardeatine.

These are a memorial to the killing of 335 Italians, mostly Jewish, who were victims of the Germans. This small deviation is worthwhile to commemorate this sad event that still constitutes a great, historic tragedy, carried out for the attack of Via Rasella. From here, return to the Appia, on the Vicolo delle Sette Chiese. The painter Giulio Aristide Sartorio, who died in 1932, is buried here.

This is near to the Catacombe di S.Callisto and the visitor’s entrance is at no.110. On the other side of the street are the Jewish Catacombs of Vigna Randanini, th only, Jewish necropolis in Rome, together with the one in Villa Torlonia.

Continuing along this road, you will reach the Basilica di S. Sebastiano, who was a victim of the Diocleziano persecutions. The basilica is dedicated to the saint and his body is buried here, although it was originally dedicated to the apostles, Peter and Paul. The underground catacombs here are worth a visit and can be reached by a staircase. Continue along to what once must have been an immense villa.

Villa di Massenzio also had a mausoleum, called Romolo which was built by Massenzio himself in memory of his son who died at a young age. However, one of the most enchanting roman monuments in the area is surely the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, a noblewoman who died young, in front of which is the gothic church of S. Nicola a Capo di Bove, which gave its name to the surrounding area.

The Appia Antica then continues along an almost deserted route, with cypresses and pines and some ancient, Roman ruins, some of which can be individually recognised such as the Tomba dei Curiazi. After this, places of notable interest include the Villa dei Quintili, whose remains are called Old Rome and Casal Rotondo, which is the largest sepulchre on the Via Appia and is therefore, better to visit by car.