Backroads Europe
Season 1
Their network is woven like a spider's web over an immense empire: the Roman roads. Nearly 85 000 kilometers of paved roads once traversed the Roman Empire, linking Europe to Asia Minor and the Near East. For several centuries, they served as commercial roads, military routes and communication networks - for the circulation of the traders, soldiers, civil servants and messengers of the Empire. After the fall of the Empire, the paths outlived their builders, but their usage changed. For centuries, cities and villages, civilizations and cultures thus continued to develop along these routes. Today, this immense network of roads continues to traverse all of Europe. It bears witness to the wealth of ancient crafts and the diversity of traditions. Despite the domination of the Roman Empire 2 000 years ago, European countries have conserved all of their singularity. Where do we find traces of this "golden age" today? How were Roman foundations of culture and tradition reworked and developed through to the 21st century and in which regions did this occur? We set out to look for these influences on the ancient Roman roads of Europe, in villages and big cities, through encounters with artisans and the discovery of unusual social rites - by looking beyond intangible studies and dusty archaeological sites.
Where to Watch Season 1
5 Episodes
- The Via Publicae in Portugal
E1The Via Publicae in PortugalA first Portuguese stopover, from Braga to Lisbon, discovering the main Roman roads of Europe. The great cobbled Roman roads formed a dense network of 85,000 kilometers and crisscrossed Europe from the Atlantic to Asia Minor. In Portugal, the Via Publicae, the country's main north-south axis during Roman times, linked Braga to Lisbon and allowed trade to flourish. - The Via Cassia in Italy
E2The Via Cassia in ItalyThe Etruscans knew paved roads as early as 400 BC. The Romans took over - like so much else - the art of street construction from their former masters and brought it to perfection. Rome was the center of a vast empire. The city is still full of traces of this glorious time. This also includes Largo Argentina, a square with antique columns from the third and fourth centuries BC. - The Via Aquitania in France
E3The Via Aquitania in FranceIn 56 BC, the Romans conquered Gaul, bringing their knowledge and civilization with them. Streets were laid out, city maps drawn and lush villas built. Narbonne was the first Roman colony outside of Italy. And Narbo Martius, capital of the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis, was the second largest Roman port after Ostia. For a long time it rivaled Arles and Marseille and was an important hub for goods and raw materials: metals from Aquitaine, grain, oil, amphorae and slaves from Brittany and Spain. The wine history of the Corbières region began when the first grapevines were planted by the Romans in 125 BC. The Via Aquitania led through today's vineyards of Château Coulon and Château Veredus. - The Via Julia in Germany
E4The Via Julia in GermanyAs part of the route from Lutetia (Paris) to Constantinople, today's Istanbul, the Via Julia, which has only borne its name since the 19th century, was the main connection between the provinces of Raetia and Noricum. At its western end, at the gates of Günzburg, is the largest previously uncovered Roman burial ground north of the Alps. With a total of more than 1,840 graves, it is the second largest in Germany. The 1,430 grave inventories attest to the importance and prosperity of ancient Guntia. Augsburg is located on the Via Julia between the Alpine rivers Lech and Wertach. Augusta Vindelicum, capital of the newly founded Roman province of Raetia, grew out of the military camp in the year 1 AD. The Roman emperor Augustus is considered to be the founder of Augsburg. His bronze figure on the pillar of the Augustus Fountain in the heart of the city is evidence of this. - The Via Romana in Switzerland
E5The Via Romana in SwitzerlandPartially expanded by Julius Caesar during his Gaul campaign, military parallels can still be found along the Via Romana between Geneva and Basel. For example, in Bière, not far from Lake Geneva, where a fortress of the Roman occupiers once stood, the Swiss military is now practicing. The so-called Toupins, the parade bells for the annual alpine lift in Vaud, are still forged on the same edge of the village. Bells were also found as additions in Roman graves. You should protect the dead from the ghosts. On the shores of Lake Geneva, the Via Francigena leads via Vidy, where the Roman ruins of Vicus Lousonna are located, to what is now Lausanne. It was not until the 4th century that the city moved from the lakeshore to the hill on which a cathedral now stands.