In the Middle Ages it was known as the "Ravenna road", as it led to the then more important city of Ravenna. Following the end of the Exarchate of Ravenna, it fell into disuse during the Lombard period, but was partially reconstructed in the Renaissance era and continued to be of military importance down to the Napoleonic era and World War II. As the "SS 3 (Strada Statale 3)" it remains one of the principal highways from Rome to the Adriatic coast.