The Via Appia connected Rome to Brundisium (Brindisi), the most important port for Greece and the East in the world of ancient Rome. The Appia is probably the most famous Roman road of which remains have remained, as well as the first road built according to modern criteria, so as to allow it to be used even in winter. Its importance is confirmed by the nickname that the Romans had given it: Regina Viarum.
Begun in 312 BC, at the behest of the censor Appio Claudio Cieco. The construction works lasted until 190 BC, the date on which the route to the port of Brindisi was completed.
The road was restored and enlarged during the rule of the emperors Augustus, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian.
In the Middle Ages, the Appia became, together with the Via Traiana, the route of the crusaders, and Frederick II also set sail from the port of Brindisi in the direction of the Holy Land.
Terlizzi was lucky enough to be one of the towns in Puglia to be crossed in its territory by what is perhaps the most famous of the ancient Roman roads: the Via Appia.
To indicate to the ancient travelers the direction to follow to reach the territory of "inter licius" (Terlizzi), there were two portals that can still be admired today.
The one in the picture is the first of the portals, the so-called "Pisciniello" arch, on the so-called road of the "gates" which leads to the Via Appia Traiana. Continuing on the "via dei portoni" you reach the second arch which is right next to the Roman road.
Traveling along the Appia-Traiana is a continuous discovery ... an immersion in history !!