Minturnae, Italy and the Via Appia
“And so we came to Rome. And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us”. Acts 28:14-15
The last days of Paul’s journey from Caesarea Maritima - a prisoner and seeking to appeal before Caesar - involved walking from port of Puteoli to Rome. This included walking along the Roman road Via Appia. Before reaching the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns, one of the places Paul and his party would likely have passed through is Minturnae. Minturnae is situated on the Liris River and an ancient bridge carried the Via Appia over the river and through the city of Minturnae right through the forum in front of the theater and Capitolium.
Minturnae was originally a military colony situated to secure the river passage in the early 200’s BC. There is evidence of the ancient bridge structure in the water under the current bridge. During the time of Emperor Augustus, Minturnae benefited from building projects, including rebuilding of the Capitolium (burned in a fire the 1st c BC). There are remains of a temple to Augustus in the area (in addition to the Capitolium which is a temple to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva). The archeological site is beautiful and quiet today. Some of the baths have been excavated. Many wonderful example of Roman techniques for finishing walls. Remains of a latrine. Less than a mile away is long run of ancient aqueduct.
Standing on the Via Appia in the quiet it takes some imagination to see the bustling Roman city and to imagine how Paul must have felt drawing nearer and nearer to what awaited him in Rome.
Minturnae forum with the Via Appia running through the city.
