Via Appia Regina Viarum – an archaeological site and UNESCO world heritage site

History and Description

Built in 312 B.C. by order of Censor Appius Claudius Caecus, the Via Appia, already nicknamed in Roman times Regina Viarum (“Queen of Roads”), was one of the most important roadworks of antiquity. It connected Rome to Brindisi, crossing Italy from west to east.

The section that runs through the current province of Latina is among the most evocative and best preserved. In the Pontine territory, the ancient road winds between historic cities and landscapes such as Terracina, Fondi, Itri, and Formia, following a route that is still partly visible today and characterized by original basalt paving, mausoleums, remains of Roman villas, aqueducts, and milestones.

Of particular interest is the stretch between Terracina and Formia, where the road passes through the Ausoni and Aurunci Mountains, as it is still possible to walk on Roman paving stones surrounded by untouched nature, in a setting that has preserved its ancient charm intact.

For its historical and archaeological value, the road was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2024.

Curiosities

Along the route, archaeologists have found remains of ancient post stations and taverns where travelers would rest or change horses.

Access Information

Access is free, with the possibility of guided tours on specific days.

How to Get There

The site can be reached:

• By car, via the A1 or A12 motorways toward Frosinone or Latina;
• By bus, using Cotral regional connections;
• On foot or by bike, by joining guided itineraries.

Walking along the Via Appia in the province of Latina means reliving the millennia-old history of Rome and discovering some of the most fascinating landscapes of central Italy.

Photo credits: LuisaV72 (Wikipedia) – Licensed by CC 4.0