Rome will spend €9.245 million to redevelop a five-kilometre stretch of the ancient Aurelian Walls, the city announced this week.
The works will run from Porta San Paolo to Porta Maggiore. Plans include resurfaced and widened pavements, new cycle paths, and the removal of parking spaces to create a clear view of the walls.
The scheme will also add lighting, wildflower planting to encourage bees, and rest areas for cyclists and walkers. City officials say the project will begin in 2026, after the completion of the GRAB, Rome’s planned 50-kilometre cycling and pedestrian ring road.
The sections scheduled for redevelopment include the Ardeatine Walls between Porta San Paolo and Porta Ardeatina, the Walls of the Appian Way Park, the Acqua Mariana Walls, and the Castrensi Walls between Porta San Giovanni and Porta Maggiore.
Much of the project is linked to broader sustainable mobility initiatives. The GRAB, funded through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan and associated with the 2025 Jubilee, aims to connect historic landmarks and green spaces across the capital.
In summary, planned work includes:
- Resurfacing and widening pedestrian pavements
- Creating dedicated bike paths
- Removing parking spaces for better visibility of the walls
- Installing new lighting
- Planting wildflowers to boost biodiversity and support pollinators like bees
- Building rest areas for walkers and cyclists
The Aurelian Walls were built by Emperor Aurelian between 271 and 275 AD to replace the smaller Servian Walls. Constructed quickly to defend against external threats, they remain one of the city’s most visible monuments.
Officials say the project will preserve this heritage while promoting greener transport and biodiversity in the capital.
