St. Paul's Journey to Rome: Following the Apostle's Final Mission

Paul's journey to Rome is the final chapter of the Book of Acts — a 2,000-mile voyage from Jerusalem through the Mediterranean, a shipwreck on Malta, and a final walk up the Appian Way into the heart of the empire. For Christian pilgrims, retracing this route through Italy is one of the most powerful ways to connect with the New Testament. This guide follows Paul's path from his arrival in Italy to his final days in Rome.

Key points:

• Paul arrived in Italy at Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli, near Naples) in approximately AD 60, after a shipwreck on Malta (Acts 28:11–14).
• He walked the Appian Way into Rome, met by believers who came 43 miles to greet him at the Forum of Appius (Acts 28:15).
• Paul spent two years under house arrest in Rome, preaching "with all openness, unhindered" (Acts 28:30–31) — likely writing Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon during this time.
• Tradition holds he was martyred by beheading on the Via Laurentina around AD 64–67, during the persecution under Emperor Nero.

Where did Paul first arrive in Italy?

Acts 28:13 records that Paul's ship "put in at Syracuse and stayed three days," then sailed to Rhegium (modern Reggio Calabria), and finally to Puteoli (Acts 28:13–14). Puteoli — modern Pozzuoli, on the Bay of Naples — was the main port for Rome in the 1st century. The harbor of Ostia hadn't yet been fully developed, so most grain ships and passenger vessels from the eastern Mediterranean docked at Puteoli, and travelers continued to Rome by road.

At Puteoli, Paul "found brothers" and was invited to stay with them for seven days (Acts 28:14). A small but established Jewish community existed there, and likely a Christian community as well. Today, the archaeological site of Puteoli includes the ruins of the ancient port, the amphitheater, and the Macellum (market). It's about 30 minutes from Naples by train.

What is the Appian Way and why does it matter?

The Via Appia — the Appian Way — was the great Roman road built in 312 BC connecting Rome to the southern port of Brundisium (modern Brindisi). Paul would have walked this road from Puteoli toward Rome, a journey of about 200 km (125 miles) that took 7–10 days on foot.

Acts 28:15 records one of the most touching moments in the New Testament: "The brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us." Roman Christians walked 43 miles south to greet Paul — a gesture that, Luke tells us, "thanked God and took courage."

Today, a stretch of the original Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) is preserved as a regional park in Rome. You can walk on the original Roman paving stones, past ancient tombs and catacombs, for about 10 km. The first 2 km from the Porta San Sebastiano are the most visited. Walking even a short stretch gives your group a visceral sense of Paul's final approach to Rome.

Where was Paul held in Rome?

Acts 28:30 says Paul "stayed two whole years in his own rented lodging" — meaning he was under house arrest, not in a dungeon. He was likely chained to a Roman soldier (Acts 28:20, Ephesians 6:20) but otherwise free to receive visitors and preach. This is why he could write letters, receive co-workers like Timothy and Epaphras, and continue his ministry.

The location of Paul's rented lodging is unknown, but it was likely in the area of the Roman Forum or near the barracks of the Praetorian Guard (Philippians 1:13). After the two years, tradition holds that Paul was released briefly (possibly for a trip to Spain, as he had hoped — Romans 15:24), then arrested again and imprisoned in the Mamertine Prison before his execution.

Where was Paul martyred?

Tradition, dating to the early 2nd century, holds that Paul was beheaded on the Via Laurentina, south of Rome, during the persecution under Emperor Nero (around AD 64–67). As a Roman citizen, Paul was entitled to beheading — a quicker, less painful death than the crucifixion or burning that non-citizens faced.

Three sites mark this tradition:

• Tre Fontane Abbey — the traditional site of the beheading, on the Via Laurentina. Three springs are said to have appeared where Paul's head struck the ground three times. A church and Trappist monastery now occupy the site. Allow 45 minutes.
• St. Paul Outside the Walls — the basilica built over Paul's tomb, about 2 miles from Tre Fontane. The tomb beneath the altar has been dated to the 1st–2nd century, and a scientific analysis in 2009 confirmed the presence of bone fragments consistent with a 1st-century male. Allow 60–90 minutes.
• The Mamertine Prison — the ancient dungeon where Paul may have been held before his execution. Allow 30–45 minutes.

What letters did Paul write from Rome?

Most scholars believe Paul wrote four "Prison Epistles" during his Roman house arrest (AD 60–62):

• Ephesians — the letter on the unity of the church in Christ.
• Philippians — the letter of joy written to the church he planted at Philippi.
• Colossians — the letter on the supremacy of Christ.
• Philemon — the personal letter about the runaway slave Onesimus.

Some scholars also place 2 Timothy here, written during a second, final imprisonment shortly before Paul's death. 2 Timothy 4:6–8 — "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" — is Paul's own epitaph, and reading it at his tomb in St. Paul Outside the Walls is one of the most powerful moments on an Italy pilgrimage.

How can your group retrace Paul's journey in Italy?

A Paul-in-Italy itinerary typically includes:

• Naples / Puteoli (Pozzuoli) — half-day at the archaeological site where Paul landed.
• The Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) — a 1–2 hour walk on the original Roman road Paul walked into Rome.
• The Mamertine Prison — where Paul may have been held before execution.
• St. Paul Outside the Walls — his tomb and basilica.
• Tre Fontane Abbey — the traditional site of his martyrdom.

This route can be covered in 2–3 days from a Rome base, or combined with the broader early church sites for a 4–5 day Rome pilgrimage.

Paul's journey to Rome is the final chapter of Acts — and walking it yourself is the final chapter of a Footsteps of Paul pilgrimage. The road he walked, the prison where he waited, the place where he died, and the tomb where he rests are all still there, waiting for you.