We now move on to a historical stretch that dates back to Roman times: the Via Romana Julia Augusta , which connected Piacenza to Provence and continued as an extension of the Via Aurelia , the road that ran from Rome to Lunigiana. This road, commissioned by Emperor Augustus and built between 14 and 12 BC , was one of the main arteries of traffic and communications in the Roman world.
Today, unfortunately, only a small, well-preserved stretch of the original road remains. Along this path, we can still admire ancient funerary monuments and the remains of the Roman amphitheater , which were located right along the route.
The function of Roman roads
Roman roads were not only an infrastructure for trade, but also a powerful tool for controlling the Empire . For the army, the roads ensured rapid movement to the areas where they were needed. The roads were equipped with post stations , which allowed messengers and goods to travel quickly from one point to another, consolidating the cohesion of the vast territories under Roman rule.
The Romans called roads the " most enduring monument " because they were built to withstand time . Their construction was far from simple. Only the consuls had the power to expropriate the land required for construction, and in fact extra-urban roads were named after the consul who had promoted their construction. Once the project was approved, military engineers and a team of experts began work, often with the help of slaves, prisoners of war, and soldiers .
The construction of the road
Roman roads were designed to be straight and durable . Each road was made up of several layers:
The statumen , a base of clay and stones
Rudus , a mixture of sand, shards and stones bound with lime
The nucleus , a level of gravel , all covered by stone slabs
The flooring was made with a central curvature , called “ donkey's back ”, to facilitate the flow of rainwater.
The stretch of road between Albenga and Alassio
Today, the path connecting Albenga to Alassio is a dirt path that follows the route of the Roman road. After passing a funerary monument , you can walk along a still -paved section that dates back to Roman times and is surprisingly well preserved. This section of road is 3.5 meters wide and has two sidewalks on either side, protected by a wall on the mountain side to prevent landslides.
Along the way, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Gallinara Island , which not only fascinates with its natural beauty, but also has profound historical and religious importance.
Gallinara Island and Saint Martin of Tours
According to Sulpicius Severus 's Vita Sancti Martini , Saint Martin of Tours spent a period of voluntary exile on the island. Having fled Milan to escape Arian persecution, he took refuge on the island with a priest, subsisting on poisonous plants and risking death by poisoning.
In the 4th century AD , a Benedictine abbey was founded on the island, which over time acquired properties in Provence and Catalonia . Thanks to numerous bequests, the monks expanded their power and founded a second abbey on the promontory facing the island, also dedicating it to Saint Martin .
The Abbey and its Decline
Over time, the abbey became a center of great ecclesiastical importance for Albenga, but by 1300 it had lost its autonomy and importance. The complex was abandoned, and only at the end of the 19th century was a private neo-Gothic villa built on the ruins of the abbey.
Today, Gallinara continues to be a place steeped in history and charm, visible from our walk along the Via Julia Augusta.