Built by Emperor Claudius Augustus (41 - 54 BCE), the Via Claudia Augusta was one of the main Alpine arteries in ancient Roman times, linking modern-day Donauwörth in Southern Germany with Ostiglia in Lombardy. By the time Tiberius and Drusus had conquered the Alpine regions and northern foothills in 15 BC, this road had become the main Trans-Alpine artery, bustling with numerous inns and staging posts where horses could be replaced.
Even today, Roman ruins are still found in Partschins/Parcines, Rabland/Rablà and Töll/Tel along the Via Claudia Augusta.
An ancient Roman milestone was discovered in 1552 at the present-day location of the Hanswirt Hotel in Rabland and the original item is now kept at the Civic Museum of Bolzano/Bozen.