R3 · Ancient Appian Way & the Catacombs

This tour will make you discover one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic. An itinerary to walk through the naturalistic and archaeological beauties of the Caffarella valley and the ancient appian way. Starting from the treasures of the Caffarella valley, crossed by the Almone river, you will arrive to the ancient appian way where the majestic Cecilia Metella tomb (built during the 1st century BC to honor Caecilia Metella, daughter of the consul Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus) and the monumental area of Massenzio emperor (including the circus, the villa and the mausoleum of Romolo) stand. It includes a stop to the outdoor area of Villa Capo di Bove (contains the excavations of the thermal baths of a vast property owned in the 2nd century AD by the senator Herodes Atticus) and the entrance to the San Callisto Catacombs (ancient funerary complex with 16 popes and 50 martyrs).