Via Sacra (Sacred Street), Rome

The Sacred Street was formerly the main thoroughfare and sacred path of Rome during its regal age. As the city expanded, the street was incorporated into its layout, linking early settlements like the Velia to the Roman Forum and Capitoline Hill. Eventually, it passed through the Forum's most significant religious and political sites such as the Regia (one of the oldest buildings in the Forum), and the Comitium (the political center of Rome).

The street's name derives from its association with sacred acts and early legends, including the peace treaty between Romulus and Titus Tatius. Over time, the road was paved and underwent numerous modifications. It served as the ceremonial route for triumphal parades and religious processions and hosted key events, including the processions beginning at the Arch of Titus and ending at the Arch of Septimius Severus.

Notable families once settled along the Sacred Street, and its proximity to temples and early Christian churches highlighted its enduring religious importance. During the imperial era, the street transitioned from a residential area to a monumental hub, featuring structures like the Basilica of Maxentius, the Temple of Venus and Roma, and the Temple of Peace.

Following the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, Nero redirected and straightened the eastern stretch of the street, adding colonnades and commercial spaces, effectively transforming it into a grand boulevard. In this capacity, the road was a stage for everyday Roman life, hosting solemn festivals, public gatherings, business dealings, and even prostitution.

Since the reign of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, it became part of the apotheosis ceremonies for deceased rulers; their bodies were carried along the street to the Forum for public tributes.

Blending ceremonial, religious, and political functions, the Sacred Street is a vivid reminder of the city’s ancient splendor, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of its ancient inhabitants.