Via Appia Antica, called the “Queen of Roads”, is one of the most famous roads of ancient Rome, which was recently included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This distinction highlights not only its exceptional historical and engineering value but also its enormous importance for the development of the Roman Empire.
Via Appia was one of the most important communication routes connecting Rome with the southern regions of Italy and with the ports of the Mediterranean Sea, enabling the development of trade, the marches of legions and cultural exchange. The road was built in the 4th-3rd century BCE on the initiative of Appius Claudius Caecus. Initially, it connected Rome with Capua, and later it was extended to Brindisi – a key port on the trade route to the eastern part of the empire. Thanks to the Via Appia, Rome could efficiently control and integrate the conquered territories, as well as strengthen ties with Greek cultures in southern Italy (Magna Graecia).
Currently, Via Appia is part of the extensive Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica which covers approximately 4,580 hectares. The park is a popular place for walks and bicycle trips, and visitors can admire not only the remains of the road itself but also numerous ancient mausoleums, catacombs and the Quintilius villa. Inscription on the UNESCO List will provide additional financial support for the protection and renovation of this unique road, which will preserve its heritage for the future.
