Servian Wall

The Servian Wall is considered the oldest Roman city wall still preserved in substantial sections. According to tradition, it was built in the sixth century B.C. under King Servius Tullius to protect the growing city. The remains visible today, however, date from the fourth century B.C., when the censors ordered a new wall to be built after the Celtic conquest of Rome. The builders used sturdy tuff, which became available to the Romans after they captured the Etruscan city of Veii. The fortification was about 10 meters (33 feet) high and up to 4 meters (13 feet) thick. With a total length of 11 kilometers (7 miles), it enclosed all seven hills of the ancient city. Over the centuries, the wall lost its significance as Rome outgrew it, and in the third century A.D. it was replaced by the later Aurelian Wall. Today, visitors can see the well-preserved sections on the Esquiline Hill, for example near Roma Termini, the main train station, as well as surviving city gates such as the Porta Viminalis and the Porta Esquilina, which stand as impressive witnesses to early Roman history.