The Via Appia, also known as the Regina Viarum, the queen of all roads, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming Italy’s 60th site to receive this prestigious recognition. This decision was made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. The Via Appia candidacy was the first promoted directly by the Italian Ministry of Culture, which coordinated every phase of the process and prepared the comprehensive documentation required for the UNESCO listing.
The inclusion of the Via Appia in the World Heritage List is the result of a collaborative effort involving multiple institutions: as said, the Ministry of Culture led this initiative, supported by four regions (Lazio, Campania, Basilicata, and Puglia), 13 metropolitan cities and provinces, 74 municipalities, 14 parks, 25 universities, numerous local community representatives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology of the Holy See.
The Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, expressed his pride and satisfaction with the achievement, emphasizing the exceptional universal value of this extraordinary engineering work, and how the Via Appia has been essential for commercial, social, and cultural exchanges with the Mediterranean and the East for centuries. He extended his congratulations to all institutions and communities involved, recognizing the historical and cultural significance of this achievement, which is expected to bring economic benefits to the affected areas.
Historical significance of the Via Appia
The Via Appia began being developed in 312 B.C. under the auspices of censor Appius Claudius Caecus. It was the first of Rome’s great roads constructed using innovative techniques, which made it a masterpiece of civil engineering. Initially built to connect Rome to Capua, it became the model for subsequent Roman public roads, improved military movements, and quickly evolved into a major commercial and cultural communication route. Emperor Trajan further enhanced the route in 109 A.D. with the Via Appia Traiana, enhancing the stretch from Benevento to Brindisi.
The Via Appia now connected Rome to the Adriatic and, from there, to the East, facilitating an uninterrupted flow of people, ideas, civilizations, goods, religions, and cultural influences over centuries. Ancient authors were already aware of its importance, as shown by some of the epithets they gave it in their works, including the already mentioned regina viarum, as well as insignis, nobilis and celeberrima, reflecting its political, administrative, economic, social, and also propagandistic significance.
Celebrating the UNESCO recognition
Celebrations to commemorate the inclusion of the Via Appia. Regina Viarum in the UNESCO World Heritage List will be held in Rome on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The event will feature the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, the Undersecretary for Culture with UNESCO delegation, Gianmarco Mazzi, and various public and private institutions that contributed to this significant achievement.
Ministerial offices noted the importance of celebrating this achievement, which brings the total number of UNESCO sites in Italy to 60. Further details about the event and the participating institutions will be announced in the coming hours.
