Imperial road

In medieval times, imperial roads (German: Reichsstraße) were designated routes in the Holy Roman Empire[1][2] that afforded protection to travellers in return for tolls collected for the emperor.

Under King Henry I of Germany the term Reichsstrasse (des riches strâze in Middle High German) was used for the first time as a translation of strata imperialis.

According to Charlemagne's legislation, based on Gallic public law, the maintenance of roads, the responsibility for transport infrastructure and security were part of the duties and privileges of the king, his "regalia".

He invested the territorial rulers through whose lordships the roads ran, with the execution of these duties.

Important imperial roads were the north-south Via Imperii and the east-west Via Regia meeting at Leipzig, as well as the Via Carolina from the Imperial city of Nuremberg to Prague established by Emperor Charles IV, the Hellweg, the Burgundy Way and Italian Way/Via Francigena.