Stumbling over Roman remains... again

On my Friday afternoon walkabout I came across the trail marker "Historic Road". 

As a matter of fact an ancient Roman road once lead through these woods. 

At various stations signs explain what happened while the early Italians lived in the area. 

The occasional view

There are signs of iron ore mining and the terrain still is full of sinkholes

caused by collapse of old near surface digging activities as well as open pit mines.

The trail opens up at the ruins of a smelting and casting facility where the ore was delivered to, 

likely transported by horse or ox powered carts.

There are also remainders of living quarters, a temple, a villa rustica with floor heating

and a graveyard, where its settlers and workers had been buried with honours.

As daylight faded I tracked my path back to the valley,

crossed harvested orchards and vineyards,

and I made it home just before dark.