Via XVIII

The Via Nova or Via XVIII in the Antonine Itinerary is a Roman road which linked the cities of Bracara Augusta and Asturica Augusta, with a length of about 210 roman miles.

History

It was built between the years 79 and 80 during the rule of Vespasian and his son Titus by the legate C. Calpetanus Rantius Quirinalis Velerius Festus for commercial purposes, and restored in the times of Maximinus Thrax and his son Gaius Julius Verus Maximus. Its layout is reflected in detail in the Antonine Itinerary.
Along its route, the roman miles are marked by milestones. Between Bracara Augusta and Asturica Augusta there are eleven mansio. This route conserves the largest number of milestones in all of Europe.