Appian Way gains UNESCO World Heritage status

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 27 - Italy's ancient Roman Appian Way was admitted to the UNESCO World Heritage List on Saturday during the 46th session World Heritage Committee, which is taking place in New Delhi.
    It becomes Italy's 60th entry on the list after a successful bid prepared by the culture ministry, the first handled directly by it.
    At more than 800 kilometres long, the Appian Way, Queen of Roads (Via Appia, Regina Viarum) is the oldest and most important of the great roads built by the Ancient Romans.
    "Constructed and developed from 312 BCE to the 4th century CE, it was originally conceived as a strategic road for military conquest, advancing towards the East and Asia Minor," UNESCO said.
    "The Via Appia later enabled the cities it connected to grow and new settlements emerged, facilitating agricultural production and trade.
    "This property, composed of 22 component parts, is a fully developed ensemble of engineering works, illustrating the advanced technical skill of Roman engineers in the construction of roads, civil engineering projects, infrastructure and sweeping land reclamation works, as well as a vast series of monumental structures including, for example, triumphal arches, baths, amphitheatres and basilicas, aqueducts, canals, bridges, and public fountains". (ANSA).