The Autostrada A1, or Autostrada del Sole (“Motorway of the Sun”), is an Italian motorway that connects Milan with Naples via Bologna, Florence, and Rome. At 754 km, it is the longest Italian autostrada and is considered the spinal cord of the country’s road network.
It is a part of the E35 and E45 European roads.
Building works began in 1956, and the entire track was opened on 4 October 1964 by then-president Antonio Segni. All 1950s and 1960s administrations wanted this major infrastructure project to be completed as quickly as possible, as it was a great boost for the national economy.
The part between Rome and Naples was originally numbered A2.
