The Ancient Roman Road: Via Traiana & The Olive Empire
Sep 14, 2025
The Via Traiana: Rome’s Gateway Through Ostuni and Puglia
The Via Traiana, inaugurated in 109 A.D. under Emperor Trajan, was far more than just a road. It was one of the Roman Empire’s most strategic arteries, linking the Eternal City to the Adriatic port of Brindisi—the departure point for Greece and the Eastern provinces. By shortening travel compared to the older Via Appia, the Traiana accelerated trade, military mobility, and cultural exchange.
A Strategic Corridor Through Puglia
Passing directly through today’s Ostuni and the fertile plains of northern Salento, the Via Traiana carved a route that was both practical and symbolic. For the Romans, Puglia was the Empire’s “gateway to the East,” a natural bridge to the Mediterranean world. From Brindisi, ships carried soldiers, merchants, and officials to Athens, Asia Minor, and beyond, making the road a linchpin of imperial expansion and governance.
The Olive Groves of Ostuni
The stretch of road that crossed Ostuni’s countryside was not only a passage for legions and caravans—it became the backbone of an agricultural system that defined the region for millennia. Roman settlers and agronomists recognized the exceptional terroir of Puglia: terra rossa soil, limestone drainage, endless sun, and cooling sea breezes. These conditions were perfect for olive cultivation.
They laid out monumental groves in precise grids, many of which survive today as the Piana degli Ulivi Monumentali, where trees over 2,000–3,000 years old still stand. These groves were vital to the Roman economy, providing oil for cooking, lamps, religious rituals, and trade. Olive oil from Puglia flowed along the Via Traiana to Brindisi, then across the Mediterranean, fueling Rome’s households and armies.
Impact on the Empire
Trade Efficiency: The Via Traiana cut days off travel time, ensuring faster movement of goods—especially agricultural exports like grain, wine, and olive oil.
Military Power: Troops could be deployed quickly to the Eastern provinces, reinforcing Rome’s presence.
Cultural Exchange: Merchants, pilgrims, and officials brought ideas, goods, and traditions back and forth, making Puglia a crossroads of civilizations.
Sustainable Legacy: The olive groves established along the route became a self-sustaining agricultural landscape that endures to this day.
Living History in Modern Ostuni
Today, walking among Ostuni’s ancient olive trees, one still traces the footsteps of Roman legionaries and merchants. The gnarled trunks—living monuments—are silent witnesses to a time when Puglia fed an empire. The Via Traiana is not just a relic of Roman engineering; it is a reminder that roads shape economies, cultures, and landscapes long after their builders are gone.
The Via Traiana: Rome’s Gateway Through Ostuni and Puglia
The Via Traiana, inaugurated in 109 A.D. under Emperor Trajan, was far more than just a road. It was one of the Roman Empire’s most strategic arteries, linking the Eternal City to the Adriatic port of Brindisi—the departure point for Greece and the Eastern provinces. By shortening travel compared to the older Via Appia, the Traiana accelerated trade, military mobility, and cultural exchange.
A Strategic Corridor Through Puglia
Passing directly through today’s Ostuni and the fertile plains of northern Salento, the Via Traiana carved a route that was both practical and symbolic. For the Romans, Puglia was the Empire’s “gateway to the East,” a natural bridge to the Mediterranean world. From Brindisi, ships carried soldiers, merchants, and officials to Athens, Asia Minor, and beyond, making the road a linchpin of imperial expansion and governance.
The Olive Groves of Ostuni
The stretch of road that crossed Ostuni’s countryside was not only a passage for legions and caravans—it became the backbone of an agricultural system that defined the region for millennia. Roman settlers and agronomists recognized the exceptional terroir of Puglia: terra rossa soil, limestone drainage, endless sun, and cooling sea breezes. These conditions were perfect for olive cultivation.
They laid out monumental groves in precise grids, many of which survive today as the Piana degli Ulivi Monumentali, where trees over 2,000–3,000 years old still stand. These groves were vital to the Roman economy, providing oil for cooking, lamps, religious rituals, and trade. Olive oil from Puglia flowed along the Via Traiana to Brindisi, then across the Mediterranean, fueling Rome’s households and armies.
Impact on the Empire
Trade Efficiency: The Via Traiana cut days off travel time, ensuring faster movement of goods—especially agricultural exports like grain, wine, and olive oil.
Military Power: Troops could be deployed quickly to the Eastern provinces, reinforcing Rome’s presence.
Cultural Exchange: Merchants, pilgrims, and officials brought ideas, goods, and traditions back and forth, making Puglia a crossroads of civilizations.
Sustainable Legacy: The olive groves established along the route became a self-sustaining agricultural landscape that endures to this day.