Appia Antica Way in the section between the curch of the “Domine Quo Vadis?” up to the Aqueducts Park
If you already did the classical sightseeing of the city and want more, you're on the right track. The huge protected area of the Regional Park of the Appian Way opens its gates to welcome you with all its 4500 hectares. The local guide will show you how easy it will be to ride an ebike and give you an introduction of the area before starting off the guided tour.
Just 2 km away from Circus Maximus there's a green lug crowded with churches, catacombs, tombs and remains of the Roman Empire flanking the famous Regina Viarum, the Queen of all roads as the roman poet Statius mentioned in his work “Silvae”. Once conceived to fulfil military purposes and then used by traders, pilgrims, intellectuals and travellers from all over the world, the Appian Way still preserves all its natural and archaeological beauty.
Starting from via Appia Antica number 60 at EcoBike, you'll go past the Domine Quo Vadis Church, where, according to legend, the Apostle S. Peter, fleeing from the persecution of Nerone against Christians had the miraculous encounter with Jesus, that, while disappearing, left his footprints on the pavement.
Then, you can stop off at the catacombs of Saint Sebastian or Saint Callixtus and, on your way back you can decide if to visit one of the two independently by paying on site € 10 each one with the tour. Next landmark?
The private circus of the emperor Maxentius, the best roman circus preserved all over the world. Enter for free into the complex consisting of the circus, the villa and the mausoleum of his son Valerio Romolo. The film Ben-Hur directed by William Wyler and with Charlton Heston was shot here, in particular the scene of the chariot race.
On the same side, uphill, on a lava plateau dating back to more than 260000 year ago, stands the Tomb of Cecilia Metella that with its giant body which seems to dominate all of the Park, the local guide will narrate to you the history of this noblewoman whose we have little information except for her family. The strategic point where the tomb was constructed was later on used as a fortress during the Middle Ages by several families, among them the name of Caetani sticks out. They took advantage of the position to control all of the area and build an actual self-sufficient village with a private fence so that passers-by had to pay a duty to transit there.
A unique archaeological itinerary encompassing the highlights of the Regina Viarum, starting from the “Domine Quo Vadis” Church up to the Quintili Nympheum to proceed into the stunning Aqueducts Park. A bike ride among sepulchers, thermal baths, aristocratic villas up to the real jam of the Roman engineering.