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The Via Sacra of Rocca di Papa: The Paved Road Climbing to the Temple of Jupiter on Monte Cavo
Before the Via Appia there was the Via Sacra. The route dates back to the 7th-6th century BC, when the peoples of the Latin League — up to 47 confederated cities — climbed every year to Mons Albanus to celebrate the Feriae Latinae, festivals in honour of Jupiter Latiaris. Arms were laid down, a white bull was sacrificed, and its meat was divided among representatives of all the peoples. It was King Tarquinius Priscus who had the temple built on the summit and traced the road to reach it.
The Roman Paving
The road is still there, with its paving in volcanic stone, 2.60 metres wide. The paving stones are slabs of volcanic rock polished by over two thousand years of footsteps: priests, soldiers, consuls, pilgrims. On the sides one can see the crepidines — peperino stone pavements — and on the stone phallic symbols are carved, signs of good fortune for travellers. The route started from the 12th mile of the Appian Way, skirted Lake Albano and climbed to the summit of Monte Cavo (949 m), the highest peak of the Alban Hills.
Walking the Via Sacra Today
The route is accessible from Campi d'Annibale in Rocca di Papa. The route goes through woods of beech and chestnut, with panoramic views over the valley. At a certain point the "Occhialone" is reached, a natural terrace from which both Lake Albano and Lake Nemi can be seen. Almost nothing remains of Jupiter's temple: the summit was occupied first by a convent, then by a hotel, and finally by military antennas.
