The ancient Roman Appian Way linking Rome to Brindisi in Puglia is bidding to become part of the UNESCO cultural heritage list.
The protocol of understanding for the bid was signed by representatives of four regions – Lazio, Campania, Basilicata and Puglia – 12 provinces and metropolitan cities, 73 other towns, 15 parks, the Pontifical Commission of Holy Archaeology and 25 Italian and foreign universities.
The ceremony for the bid by ‘Via Appia, Regina Viarium’ (The Appian Way, Queen of Roads) took place at Diocletian’s Baths in Rome.
It is the first time a UNESCO bid is being promoted directly by the Italian culture ministry.
The Appian Way “was much more than just a military or commercial road,” said Culture Undersecretary Gianmarco Mazzi.
“The Appian Way was above all a road of culture for the Roman world. And it is precisely in this cultural aspect that we think there is the element that UNESCO bids require”.
More about the Appian Way
The Appian Way was a Roman road used as a main route for military supplies and improvements in communication. It was named after Appius Claudius Caecus. He was the Roman censor who began the road in 312BC and completed the first section during the Samnite Wars.
It was also the first long road built specifically to transport troops outside the smaller region of greater Rome (this was essential to the Romans). The few roads outside the early city were Etruscan and went mainly to Etruria.
By the late Republic, the Romans had expanded over most of Italy and were masters of road construction. Their roads began at Rome, where the master itinerarium, or list of destinations along the roads, was located. This led to the expression, “All roads lead to Rome”.
