Via Sacra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Via Sacra (Latin: Sacred Road) is the main street of ancient Rome, leading from the top of the Capitoline Hill, through some of the most important religious sites of the Forum (where it is the widest street), to the Colosseum.
[edit] Use
This road was continually filled with solemn religious festivals, magnificent triumphs of victorious generals, and the daily throng assembling in the basilicas to chat, throw dice, engage in business, or secure justice. Indeed, it also makes up the financial district of Rome, and so is referred to as the Wall Street of ancient Rome[citation needed].
[edit] Route
- Colosseum
- Passes to the left of the Temple of Venus and Roma, which it predates
- Passes under the Arch of Titus.
- Passes to the left of the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine (Basilica Nova or Basilica Maxentius.) and 'Temple of Romulus'
- Passes to the right of the Temple of Vesta, House of the Vestals, the Regia and the Temple of Caesar.
- Passes to the left of the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina and the Basillica Aemilia
- Turns left
- Passes under the Arch of Augustus
- Passes to the right side of the Basilica Julia.
- Passes under the Arch of Tiberius.
- Turns right - view of the Rostra.
- Passes under the Arch of Septimius Severus, and near the Curia.
- Passes around the Temple of Saturn and begins to mount the Capitoline Hill. The temple marks the beginning of the Clivus Capitolinus, the old road that takes you up the hill of the Capitol.
- Passed on the right is the Temple of Concord and the Temple of Vespasian and Titus
- The route ends at the temple of Jupiter.
