Taverns, The Three

The Three Taverns (Latin Tres Tabernae, "three shops") was a station on the Via Appia (Appian Way) approximately 33 miles south of Rome, near modern Cisterna di Latina. It was a well-known road stop mentioned by Cicero in his letters. When Paul was being transported as a prisoner from Puteoli to Rome, a delegation of Roman Christians traveled out to meet him — some as far as the Forum of Appius (43 miles from Rome), others at the Three Taverns (Acts 28:15). The sight of these brothers caused Paul to give thanks to God and take courage for the ordeal ahead. The Three Taverns thus marks the point at which Paul, the prisoner, first received Christian fellowship on Roman soil.