Via Egnatia; the “Top Ten” of Ancient Highways,
has been such a road par excellence being the connection between the western and the eastern part of Roman Empire.
Via Egnatia was one of the most important bridges of the Ancient World that connected easily and quickly Rome with Byzantium,
from Rome to Constantinople.
The first construction of this road dated nearly 2300 years ago. And in 149-120 BC the Proconsul Egnatius of Macedonia, ordered the reconstruction and extension of the more ancient road called Via Appia.
It crossed the Roman provinces of Illyria, Macedonia and Thrace, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey.
Starting at Dyrrachium (now Durrës) on the Adriatic Sea, the road followed a difficult route along the river Genusus (Shkumbin), over the Candaviae (Jablanica) mountains and then to the highlands around Lake Ohrid. It then turned south, following several high mountain passes to reach the northern coastline of the Aegean Sea at Thessalonica.
From there it ran through Thrace to the city of Byzantium (later Constantinople, now Istanbul).
Originally a military road, it served economic and social functions for more than two millenniums. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines used and protected the road.
After them came the Ottoman Empire who send their armies, tax-collectors and trade-caravans along it.
Used by soldiers and later by crusaders, preachers and bandits, merchants and peasants, caravans with up to two-hundred mules and donkeys loaded with skins, wines, wood and sulfur Via Egnatia served for local and inter-local purposes.
Many different ethnic groups made use of Via Egnatia, and met each other along its trails; Greeks and Jews, Vlachs and Romans, Turks, Albanians, Venetians, Egyptians and many many more....
Via Egnatia was traveled by ordinary people, army, philosophers, writers, generals, and emperors of the Roman world and not only; as Julius Caesar, Pompey, Cicero, Mark Antony, Brutus, Justinian, Theodoric... and to arrive just in the present days with people going yet in its paths again.
So, Via Egnatia -with intervals due to political or geographical troubles- has been a real Trans-Mediterranean Highway.
Even today this it continues to be the most important road
from West to East... and more!
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The idea of this tour started when the two organizers travelled together on adventure offroad motorcycles from the Adriatic to the Black Sea and were fascinated by the ancient and rich history of Southeast Balkan vast territories and many cultures living together.
This region saw the most brilliant time under the Roman Empire and more of it also after the division of the Roman empire in two Empires with two centers; west, Rome and east, Constantinople.
The concept of “ViaEgnatia Raid” is to cover by offroad motorcycles the ancient routes and also to emerge in the history of yet untouched
mountains, rivers and valleys where 2000 years ago there passed Julius Caesar, Pompey, Marc Antony, Cicero and many many others....
This tour will start from the City of Rome and will finish in the most eastern corner of Europe, in Constantinople, (today Istanbul).
The route will be a mix of offroad, gravel, old asphalt and lonely routes with some parts where signs of ViaEgnatia are yet visible for travelers.
Day distance will be from 250 km to 350 km, with lunch stops in picturesque and exotic locations with delicious local foods.
The ride can be individual or in groups during the day and in the evening the group will have dinner and accommodated in the best hotels in town.
Eight fantastic days with friends in a special active and historic vacation time!
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