Via Salaria Archaeological Site

Via Salaria is an ancient route that ran from Rome toward the Adriatic coast and took its name from the salt trade that used the road. It is one of the older roads associated with Rome’s network of ancient communications.

Remaining stretches and archaeological features include mile markers, bridge foundations and roadbeds that can be traced in the Sabina region northeast of Rome. Modern roads follow parts of the corridor in places, and the historic route influenced medieval and later communications in central Italy.

The road originated as a pre-Roman track used by local peoples and was incorporated and improved by Roman authorities as part of their wider road system. Over centuries it served military, commercial and administrative purposes before sections were superseded by modern infrastructure.

The route begins in the city of Rome and runs northeast across the Lazio region toward the Adriatic, historically linking the capital with coastal trading points on the eastern Italian seaboard.

• Name origin: Name derives from the Latin word for salt and reflects the road’s role in moving salt from Adriatic sources to Rome.
• Surviving traces: Considerable stretches of the ancient route survive as archaeological traces and as later rural roads that follow the same corridor northeast from Rome.

What to See#

• Roman route and preserved sections: The Roman-era alignment and surviving sections that leave the city of Rome to the northeast and cross the Sabina hills, historically used to move salt and goods to the capital.
• Porta Salaria: Urban element in Rome known as the Porta Salaria, the city gate that marked the road’s departure in the imperial walls.

Segments of Via Salaria begin just north of Rome and can be reached by local roads and buses. The modern SS4 follows parts of the ancient route; from central Rome take Via Salaria north out of the city.

• Walk short stretches of Via Salaria north of Rome to feel the transition from urban to rural landscapes; the ancient road periodically surfaces as secondary routes.
• Look for milestones and Roman remains along the route - they are often tucked beside modern pavements.
• Use the modern SS4/SS4 Salaria for driving much of the historic route; sections of the ancient roadway are preserved as local byways.