AQUEDUCTS, CITY WALLS & IMPERIAL PALACES

Eight of the eleven aqueducts that provided Ancient Rome with fresh water entered the city here Ad Spem Veterem (at the Old Hope), nowadays Porta Maggiore.  Six of them are still visible.

Start the walk from the so-called Temple of Minerva Medica, IV century, the third biggest ancient dome in Rome.

Continue on to the Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker, about 30 BC. Next to it the astonishing monumental arches of the Aqueduct of Claudius (Aqua Claudia, 52 AD) were later used as impressive gates when the city wall was built under emperor Aurelian (270-275 AD).

Not far is a cistern that served a Roman bath in IV century.

Just across the street we visit the majestic ruins of Sessorium, the new imperial palace built under emperor Elagabalus (218-222). It included the Varian Circus, a Basilica, an amphitheater. See how this Amphitheatrum Castrense was later incorporated in the Aurelian Walls.

In IV century Emperor Constantine’s mother, Helen, lived here; she had one of the old halls converted into the palatine chapel, the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, which we visit inside  (see also relics from the passion of Christ).

Walk along the Aurelian Walls to reach Porta Asinaria, the only gate that still has its original III century square towers, together with more recent  V century semicircular towers.

Duration: 3 hours

No entrance tickets

An exclusive opening of Porta Asinaria  can be booked with good notice, 4 euro each.