UNESCO STATUS for the QUEEN OF ROADS
Not before time, the world famous Appia Antica road that connected Ancient Rome with Brindisi, the gateway to Greece on the Adriatic coast, has applied to be included in the list of UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES.
Known as the “Queen of Roads”, the first tract from Rome to Capua, near Naples, was built in 382 BC by the Roman magistrate Appius Claudius after whom it was named. A century later, it was prolonged to join up with Benevento and Brindisi. Considered a superb example of Roman construction, the entire length stretches 583 kms (364 miles) and long tracts of the original paving are still visible. It was also unique as being the first free “public road” where no tolls were charged.
Much of the fascination of the Appia Antica road is thanks to the monumental ancient Roman tombs alongside it. Most have been badly damaged over the centuries and stripped of all their rich marble facings and decorations, however, they still provide the same romantic picture that entranced illustrious 19th century visitors like Goethe and Shelley.
The best preserved of these monuments are in the First Mile leading out of the old city gates. The most famous is the impressive Tomb of Cecilia Metella, an obscure Roman matron, whose tomb has been exceptionally well preserved because during the Middle Ages it was converted into a fortress and incorporated into the city's defensive walls.
Elaborate tombs were, of course, the reserve of the wealthy, but the sepulchres of lesser mortals are equally stunning – like the Columbarium of Augustus' Liberti with rows of niches that contained the funeral urns of the Emperor's freed slaves in a domed construction resembling a dovecot (hence the name). Incredibly, this construction housed a restaurant until fairly recently. Even after two thousand years, the Appia Antica still comes up with surprises. In the area of the First Mile, archaeologists are at present uncovering the remains of what is believed to be the Sanctuary of Mars Gradivo (the Avenger) which marked the entrance to the city boundaries. According to legend, this was the spot where the twins Romulus and Remus were conceived thanks to the union of the god Mars with the Vestal Virgin Rea Silvia.
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Info: cultura.gov.it/appiaunesco#