Gauls consular road, Roman road in Donnas, Italy
The Gauls consular road is an ancient Roman road in Donnas where sections were cut directly from solid rock. The preserved segment spans approximately 221 meters and features a substantial stone arch passage reaching about 4 meters in height.
The road was built during Roman rule to support military operations and trade between Rome and the Rhone Valley. In medieval times, the arched passage was repurposed as a fortified entrance point to a settlement nearby.
The grooves and wear marks on the road surface reveal the passage of ancient carts and wagons over many centuries. These traces show how people and goods moved through the mountains in Roman times.
The road is open for visitors to explore on foot, with the contrast between carved rock sections and open passages being quite striking. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the surface is uneven and there are some gradual inclines along the route.
A milestone at this section is marked with the number 36 and indicates that Donnas sits about 50 kilometers from Aosta. This ancient distance marker helped travelers track their progress and remained useful even after Roman times.
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