The Via Appia was one of the most important roads of the ancient world. Stretching nearly 900 kilometers, it connected Rome to Brindisi and the southeastern territories of the Roman Empire, earning the title “Regina Viarum” – the Queen of Roads. For centuries, it served as a vital cultural and commercial crossroads.
A Pillar of the Roman Empire
Built in 312 BC under the orders of the powerful censor Appius Claudius Caecus, the Via Appia was intended to link Rome to the port of Brindisi on the Adriatic Sea — a crucial hub for trade routes to Magna Graecia and the East.
From the beginning, it became a primary artery of transportation for goods, people, and armies across the Empire. Its use spurred the growth of settlements, cities, and villages along its path, transforming it into a key center of exchange and cultural interaction.
The road was engineered using high-quality materials, such as lava stone, to ensure its durability — a testament to Roman ingenuity. Over the centuries, emperors like Augustus, Vespasian, and Trajan expanded and enhanced it, with Trajan notably responsible for its extension into Puglia.
The Evolution Through History
During the Imperial era, the Via Appia became lined with monuments, mausoleums, tombs, and villas. However, in the Middle Ages, it gradually lost its strategic and commercial significance, though it remained vital as a pilgrimage route and was frequently used by Crusaders traveling to the Holy Land.
Today, the Via Appia stands as one of Italy’s most historic and captivating routes, home to remarkable archaeological treasures like the mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, the Roman amphitheater of Capua, and the Catacombs of San Callisto. It has inspired great artists and writers, from Horace to Michelangelo, who celebrated it as a symbol of Rome’s enduring grandeur.
A Cultural Crossroads
The Via Appia was more than a road — it was a channel for cultural exchange. As travelers moved along its length, they brought with them traditions, customs, and beliefs, blending with those of other peoples encountered along the way.
It played a key role in the Roman adoption of Greek culture, particularly its literature, philosophy, and theater.
An example of the Via Appia’s cultural richness is Pompeii, located just kilometers from the road. Destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and rediscovered centuries later, the city offers vivid testimony of Roman urban life and its multicultural influences through preserved homes, mosaics, and public spaces.
Today, the Via Appia is a popular tourist destination, inviting visitors to literally walk through history, enjoying stunning landscapes, exploring ancient settlements, and experiencing the legacy of Roman civilization firsthand.
The Official UNESCO Candidacy
The Via Appia is not just a Roman road — it is a masterpiece of ancient engineering and a symbol of the vast and sophisticated Roman road network. In January, it was officially nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status.
On January 10th, an Agreement of Understanding was signed to formalize the nomination. This follows a comprehensive dossier prepared by the Ministry of Culture, which allocated 19 million euros for restoration and conservation efforts. The signing ceremony took place at the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, attended by prominent regional and national officials.
The Ministry views the nomination as a project of immense social and cultural value, with the potential for positive economic impact across all the regions it touches.
The goal is for the Via Appia to become Italy’s 59th UNESCO World Heritage site, a candidacy supported by four regions: Lazio, Campania, Basilicata, and Puglia.
The project includes 12 provinces and 73 municipalities, as well as institutions like the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology and 25 universities from Italy and abroad. It stands as further proof that Italy remains the cradle of civilization and culture, boasting the highest number of UNESCO sites worldwide.
Opportunities from the UNESCO Candidacy
The candidacy brings with it major opportunities for territorial development. The Via Appia passes through regions with a millennia-old heritage, rich in history long before the rise of Rome. New valorization projects, based on circular economy principles, are underway.
Alongside the Via Francigena, the Via Appia is one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage routes, yet it currently receives limited tourist attention.
The nomination aims to change that by encouraging sustainable, slow, and high-quality tourism, with widespread benefits across all the communities along its route.
By combining heritage conservation with territorial regeneration, the project supports the sustainable development of rural and lesser-known areas, enhancing cultural offerings and driving economic and social growth, particularly in inland regions.
