Walking Atop the Aurelian Walls
Few travelers know that in Rome you can actually walk inside the ancient walls: at Porta San Sebastiano (St Sebastian Gate, the former Porta Appia), the Museo delle Mura opens onto a stretch of the wall-walk (camminamento di ronda), the elevated passage where sentries once kept watch. It is a rare, evocative experience that conveys the defensive scale of the Aurelian Walls (Mura Aureliane) far better than any explanation could.
What the Wall-Walk Is
The wall-walk is the patrol walkway that runs along the top of the walls, sheltered by parapets, from which the guards watched the world outside. At Porta San Sebastiano you can cover a stretch of it inside the wall structure itself: you move between the arrow slits, pass through the chambers of the towers, and feel the sheer thickness and height of the wall circuit.
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The Towers and the Structure of the Gate
Along the route you explore the interiors of the two towers flanking the gate and the vaulted chambers of the structure. You quickly grasp how Porta San Sebastiano was a true fortress in miniature, designed to control and defend one of Rome's most important entrances, the gateway to the Via Appia. It is a journey into ancient military engineering.
The Arch of Drusus
Just inside the gate, along the road, stands the Arch of Drusus (Arco di Druso): a monumental arch that was in fact part of an aqueduct feeding the nearby Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla). Thanks to its position right beside the gate, it has been tied for centuries to the image of the entrance to the Appian Way, completing the ancient stage set of the site.
The View Over the Via Appia Antica
From the wall-walk and the openings of the gate you take in a privileged view of the start of the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica): the very panorama once seen by travelers setting out from Rome. It is the perfect way to close your visit and picture the long road that ran from here all the way to southern Italy. For the rest of your visit, see what to see at the Museum of the Walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the wall-walk of Porta San Sebastiano? A walkable elevated stretch of the Aurelian Walls where sentries once passed: you walk inside the wall structure, among towers and arrow slits.
Can you really walk atop the walls of Rome? Yes: at Porta San Sebastiano, the Museo delle Mura gives access to a stretch of the wall-walk. It is one of the few chances to do so in the city.
What is the Arch of Drusus? A monumental arch just inside the gate, originally part of an aqueduct that supplied the Baths of Caracalla, tied for centuries to the image of the start of the Appian Way.
What can you see from the wall-walk? The interiors of the towers, the arrow slits, and a fine view over the start of the Via Appia Antica and the surrounding countryside.
Is it suitable for everyone? The route involves stairs and the narrow passages typical of an ancient structure: judge it based on your mobility. Check accessibility and opening hours on the official website.
See Also
- Museum of the Walls at Porta San Sebastiano: complete guide
- What to see at the Museum of the Walls
- History of the Aurelian Walls
- How to get to the Museum of the Walls
- Via Appia Antica: complete guide
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Article #662 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026