Via Magna

The Via Magna is the main north-south road of Omrazir, and one of the chief thoroughfares of the city as a whole. It links the wharves along the bay with the Bazaar of the Nine Winds, and most of the city's other major streets intersect or branch off from it. For most of its length it parallels the River Tamrasset, and along with the river serves as the dividing line between East City and West City.

The Via Magna came into being after Omrazir's conquest by the Ruveran Empire, following the founding of the West City as the nucleus of imperial rule and its settlement by the various officials and functionaries of the empire. It remained a well-traveled but unpaved track until the later years of the empire, when a native Raziyan became emperor and subsequently embarked on a full program of improvements for his home city. The porticoes that remain along portions of the road date to this time, as does the Grand Gate that towers above the plaza south of the intersection with the Via Maris.