Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS…
»
The catacombs
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Cycling along the Appia
»
Villa dei Quintilli
PRACTICALITIES
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MAP
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06 512 63 14
»
Information Point 9.30am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm Sat & Sun, to 5.30pm Aug, to 6.30pm
Apr-Oct
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Via Appia Antica
The Appia Antica, peaceful today, resounds with history: it's where Spartacus and 6000
of his slave rebels were crucified in 71 BC, and around it lie 300km of underground tun-
nels carved out of soft tufa rock, used as burial chambers by the early Christians. Corpses
were wrapped in simple white sheets and usually placed in rectangular niches carved into
the walls, which were then closed with marble or terracotta slabs. You can't visit all
300km, but three major catacombs (San Callisto, San Sebastiano and Santa Domitilla) are
open for guided exploration.
If you're planning on really doing the sights, think about buying the Appia Antica Card
(
Click here
). Near the start of the road, the Appia Antica Regional Park Information
Point is very informative. You can buy a map of the park here and hire bikes (per hour/day
€3/10) and electric bikes (€6/20). Child-sized bikes aren't available, but child seats (up to
20kg) are; book these in advance as there are not many available. The park run tours in
