Oldest road surface still in use

Stretches of the Via Appia (the Appian Way) in Italy date from its original construction in 312 BC. This formed the main connection between Rome and Brindisi, southeast Italy. The road is named after Appius Claudius Caecus, a Roman Censor who oversaw construction of the first stretch of military road. Today, the Appian Way follows a new course defined by Pope Pius VI, but parts of the old road (Via Appia Antica) are still visible and remain in use. The best preserved are close to Rome itself, where people may walk or cycle on the old stone-paved road. In the area of Velletri, it is still possible to drive on the original Roman-paved surface, which is interspersed with areas of later block-paving refurbishment and modern tarmac surfaces.