Discover The Ancient Roads Of The World

The oldest roads in the world are the communication routes through which not only people and goods traveled. In reality, the most valuable thing they transported were the ideas and advances of humanity. For that alone they deserve a tribute, so let’s try to let you know a little more about them and their history.

Ancient roads of the world today

Nowadays, when we talk about roads, we come to mind asphalt roads and highways to go at full speed. On the other hand, when we refer to the ancient roads of the world, we do not mean that. We are talking about paths that we have to travel very calmly.

They are roads and sections to go on foot, by bike or on horseback, but always with eyes wide open to enjoy everything they tell us about the past. In addition, they allow us to contemplate the landscapes through which human beings began their development. Let’s see where the ancient highways of the world take us.

Royal Persian Highway

This itinerary is only preserved in a very few sections, since it crossed a territory that has suffered for millennia, and even today, all kinds of conflicts. But the Royal Persian Highway is not only one of the oldest roads, it was also one of the most impressive.

Its origins date back to 3500 BC. C. and with the passage of time and the establishment of the Persian Empire it would reach a length of more than 2500 kilometers. A fascinating journey through all Antiquity that would reach such fantastic places as the city of Persepolis.

The Silk Road

Part of that Royal Persian Highway would be reused for the incredible Silk Road, which linked the West with the Far East. We cannot say that there was a road with thousands of continuous kilometers, but there was an established road that passed through places as beautiful as Samarkand and that today we can continue to a large extent.

The Appian Way, one of the oldest roads in the world

When talking about the ancient roads of the world, the truth is that, with property, the oldest road that is preserved today is part of the route of the Appian Way in the vicinity of Rome. It is a road that linked the capital of the Empire with the south of the Italian peninsula.

It is precisely known that it was Censor Apio Claudio Caeco who promoted its construction in 312 BC. Hence the name of this road, which had more than 500 kilometers of route. Today there are only a few left, but it is a good tourist attraction if you travel to Rome with children, as it is a good place to take a bike tour.

The Jacobean Route

As when we have talked about the Silk Road, the Camino de Santiago is not a road that is preserved as it is. It was a route that integrated paths, local roads and remains of Roman roads.

However, it can be said that it is one of the oldest roads in the world, or, rather, it was a cultural highway  through which ideas circulated for centuries. And, in addition, he had and has the reward of contemplating at the end of the road, the magnificent cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Mayan routes

We have talked about the old roads that ran through Europe and Asia, but there are also in America. Let’s start with those of Central America, the Mayan civilization also bequeathed us fabulous roads, especially in the territory of present-day Guatemala, a fascinating country where they exist.

There is the citadel of El Mirador, which can be considered the cultural and political epicenter of the Mayans. It is a site practically surrounded by the tropical jungle and, therefore, very difficult to explore.

However, new technologies have traced that a network of roads started from here. It stretched over more than 200 km² and linked the main temples and cities in the area.

The Inca Trail, another of the ancient roads of the world

And we want to end up in South America, where one of the most exciting cultures in history developed: the Incas. Some people who are not known to have writing, or metal objects and not even the wheel. But instead, they built the Ancient Inca Trail or Qhapag Nan. A road that went on for thousands of kilometers.

How many? 40,000! In other words, it is not only one of the oldest roads in the world, it is also one of the longest. And, although it is not preserved as they created it, we can get an idea of ​​its magnificence by visiting places like the inspiring Machu Picchu in Peru.