Taverns, The three

A place on the great “Appian Way,” about 11 miles from Rome, designed for the reception of travellers, as the name indicates. Here Paul, on his way to Rome, was met by a band of Roman Christians (Acts 28:15). The “Tres Tabernae was the first mansio or mutatio, that is, halting-place for relays, from Rome, or the last on the way to the city. At this point three roads run into the Via Appia, that from Tusculum, that from Alba Longa, and that from Antium; so necessarily here would be a halting-place, which took its name from the three shops there, the general store, the blacksmith’s, and the refreshment-house...Tres Tabernae is translated as Three Taverns, but it more correctly means three shops” (Forbes’s Footsteps of St. Paul, p. 20).

[Three Taverns TAVERNS]

TAVERNS, THE THREE, a place where some of the "brethren" came to meet Paul on his journey to Rome, and by their coming the apostle took fresh courage. Acts 28:13-15. It was on the Appian Way, 33 miles south-east from Rome, and 10 miles from Appii Forum. It was also at the junction of the road from Antium, and a great number of travellers passed through it. It may have taken its name from the three taverns or places of refreshment for travellers. But Luke docs not translate the Roman word, but simply transfers it into Greek as "Tres Tabernae." There are no remains of The Three Taverns by name at the present day, but the site may be placed near the modern Cisterna.