At Donnas, Valle d’Aosta, Italy, the skill of the Roman engineers who built the Via delle Gallie, the ancient consular road to Gaul, is shown by this arch cut through a rocky spur that barred progress on the 200 m (656 ft) stretch that survives above the River Dora Baltea and today’s main road through the Aosta valley. The consular road was built by the first Roman emperor, Augustus. Its surface is still rutted by grooves worn by both Roman and medieval cart wheels. In medieval times, the road was used by Christian pilgrims following the Via Francigena from Northern Europe to Rome.
Donnas, Valle d’Aosta, Italy: the skill of the Roman engineers who built the Via delle Gallie, the ancient consular road to Gaul, is demonstrated by this conspicuous arch cut through a rocky spur that barred progress on the well-preserved 200 m (656 ft) stretch of the carriageway that survives above the River Dora Baltea and the modern main road through the Aosta valley. The road was built by the first Roman emperor, Augustus (lived 63 BC to 14 AD). Its surface is still rutted by grooves worn by both Roman and medieval cart wheels. In medieval times, the road was used by Christian pilgrims following the Via Francigena from Northern Europe to Rome. Other sights include a round milestone displaying the number of Roman miles (36) from Donnas to the city of Augusta Praetoria Salassorum, now the Italian regional capital of Aosta.
Size: 2795px × 4201px
Location: Donnas, Valle d’Aosta, Italy.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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