Inside the largest gate of the Aurelian Walls
Where the Via Appia Antica (the Appian Way) left the city, you'll find Porta San Sebastiano, the St Sebastian Gate, once known as Porta Appia: the largest and best-preserved gate of the Aurelian Walls. Tucked inside its towers and rooms is the Museum of the Walls (Museo delle Mura), dedicated to the imposing walls that defended Rome for centuries. It's a small but one-of-a-kind museum that also lets you walk a stretch of the walls and take in an unusual view over the city. And admission is usually free.
Why visit the Museum of the Walls
The Museum of the Walls offers a rare experience: climbing inside a monumental gate, following the wall-walk along the ramparts, and seeing exactly how Rome defended itself. It's a perfect stop for history lovers, for anyone exploring the Appian Way, and for travelers after a fascinating, uncrowded corner well off the main tourist trail.
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What to see at the museum
Your visit includes:
- Porta San Sebastiano with its two towers and travertine façade.
- The exhibition rooms on the history and engineering of the walls.
- The wall-walk, a stretch you can cover up on the ramparts.
- The view over the Appian Way and the surrounding countryside.
Dig deeper with what to see at the Museum of the Walls and our guide to the wall-walk at Porta San Sebastiano.
The story of the Aurelian Walls
The Aurelian Walls, commissioned by the emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century, ringed Rome for roughly 19 kilometers to guard against invasion. They are the best-preserved ancient walls in the world. Their history, gates, and towers are told in the story of the Aurelian Walls.
Admission and how to get there
Admission to the museum is usually free (hours are indicative — check the official site). It sits at the start of the Appian Way, easy to pair with a walk along the ancient consular road. To plan your route, see how to get to the Museum of the Walls.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Museum of the Walls? A museum dedicated to the Aurelian Walls, housed inside Porta San Sebastiano at the start of the Appian Way. It also lets you walk a stretch of the walls.
Is admission free? Usually yes: the Museum of the Walls offers free entry (hours are indicative — check the official site).
What is Porta San Sebastiano? The largest and best-preserved gate of the Aurelian Walls, with two towers and a travertine façade, at the start of the Via Appia.
Can you walk on the walls? Yes: from the museum you can follow a stretch of the wall-walk up on the ramparts, with a view over the Appian Way.
Where is it? At the start of the Via Appia Antica, in southern Rome, near the Appian Way park and the Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla).
See also
- The story of the Aurelian Walls
- What to see at the Museum of the Walls
- The wall-walk at Porta San Sebastiano
- How to get to the Museum of the Walls
- The Appian Way: the complete guide
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Article #658 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026