VIA AEMILIA​

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In the 3rd century A.D. the roman campaigns for the conquest of the Po valley began. Shortly after the conquest of Bononia, known today as Bologna, the Romans needed to build a functional way of communication that would connect the two cities of Rimini and Piacenza, in order to guarantee a quick displacement of the army. Emilio Lepido took charge of its construction, which only took two years: from 189 to 187 A.D.

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The via Aemilia crosses the via Flaminia, which has its origin in Rome. The starting point corresponds to the Emperor Augusto’s arch built in 27 b.C. The arch is still visible and was originally included in the ancient walls around the city. A statue of the Emperor was probably over the arch. The rural sections of the road were only “glareati”, meaning composed of gravel and pebbles pressed into the ground without any binder. Remains of the necropolis were often found at the sides of the road.