Via Sacra (Sacred Street), Rome

The Sacred Street holds a prominent place in the history of ancient Rome. Serving as the main thoroughfare of the city, this road stretched from the top of the Capitoline Hill, through the significant religious sites of the Roman Forum, and ultimately led to the awe-inspiring Colosseum.

Originally, the Sacred Street formed part of the traditional route of the Roman Triumph, a grand procession that commenced on the outskirts of Rome and passed through the Roman Forum. Over time, the road was paved, and during the reign of Emperor Nero, it was adorned with magnificent colonnades, transforming it into a grand boulevard.

The Sacred Street witnessed countless significant events that shaped the history of Rome. It hosted solemn religious festivals, showcased the glorious triumphs of victorious generals, and accommodated the bustling crowds who gathered in the Basilicas for various purposes such as socializing, gambling, conducting business, or seeking justice. Notably, the street was also frequented by many prostitutes who sought potential customers among the daily throng.

During the reign of Augustus and subsequent emperors, the Sacred Street played a crucial role in the Apotheosis ceremony, where deceased Roman Emperors were formally deified. The body of the emperor, concealed beneath a wax death mask, was carried on a pall from the Palatine Hill down the Sacred Street into the Forum. Funeral orations were delivered in the Forum before the procession of Knights and Senators continued its journey toward the Campus Martius.

Today, visitors to Rome can travel in the footsteps of ancient Romans by walking the Sacred Street to explore the historical Roman Forum.