Via Cornelia, Roman road in Rome, Italy
Via Cornelia was an ancient Roman road that ran east to west near what is now Saint Peter's Basilica, linking different parts of Rome together. Today only fragments of the original paving remain visible beneath Vatican City and alongside the basilica.
The road was built during the Roman imperial period and was already in use during the reigns of Vespasian and Titus. Archaeological evidence from various excavations confirmed its existence and importance as a connecting route in this part of Rome.
The road's construction demonstrates Roman engineering methods, featuring paved sections and strategic elevation changes to accommodate the local terrain.
The remains are hard to visit since most of them lie beneath modern ground level and buildings. Your best chance to see fragments comes from viewing them at the southwest corner of the basilica or in nearby archaeological collections.
The modern Via della Conciliazione follows largely the same path as the ancient road. This shows how some urban routes persist in the same location across centuries, shaped by the natural slope of the ground.
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