Via Popilia in Calabria. Potential of a tourist-cultural itinerary

Via Popilia was one of the most important road infrastructures built by the Romans on the Italian territory. It connected the cities of Capua in Campania and Rhegium on the shores of Messina Strait, with a route of about 550 km largely away from the coast. After some historical references relating to the primary network linking Rome and the peripheral regions and the old road construction techniques, the attention is focused on the southern part of the Via Popilia, within the territory of the Calabria region, to represent its potential from a tourist-cultural point of view. The results of a research aimed at highlighting the most significant emergencies of the old road, in particular the elements of greater historical-monumental value, are presented, following the logic of an ideal tourist path largely still to be exploited. Some specific insights are proposed relating to some of these emergencies; the historical research concerns also architectural and engineering aspects. The paper intends to offer a cultural background in relation to a valuable ancient heritage, rich in singular components of great interest, and to draw attention to a touristic latent potential in the perspective of a Way (route to be practiced walking or by bicycle), or a sequence of places to visit in stages, with direct positive impacts on the economy of the crossed territory.