The Appian Way and the Gorges of St. Andrew: a historical stretch between Fondi and Itri
Between Fondi and Itri, where the Aurunci Mountains narrow to form a limestone gorge, lies one of the most significant and still walkable stretches of the ancient Appian Way. Here, the road is not covered by modern asphalt: for approximately 2.6 km one can directly observe the various construction phases and maintenance works carried out over the centuries. This stretch of the Appian Way has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2024.
Route overview
The ancient path diverges from the modern one at the Gorges of St. Andrew (Gole di Sant’Andrea). The modern state road climbs up the left slope of the valley, while the ancient Regina Viarum climbs up the right. This separation at the end of the 19th century helped to preserve the site. Today, it can be accessed at km 125.8 of the current Via Appia (on the Fondi side, parking plus a picnic area) or at km 129.6 on the Itri side. The route is marked with Monti Aurunci Natural Park information boards.
Three roads in one
Walking from Fondi towards Itri, visitors traverse in sequence the paved road from the era of Caracalla (216 AD), the Renaissance road built under Philip II of Spain (1568, featuring a commemorative epitaph and a bridge rebuilt in 2004 following wartime damage), and the Bourbon road of Ferdinand IV (1768). Overlooking the gorge is the Forte di Sant'Andrea (St. Andrew's Fort) (1806), built during the Napoleonic era on top of the colossal remains of a Late Republican sanctuary dedicated to Apollo.
