Appian Way: Queen of Roads
<p>The Via Appia is more than 800 kilometers long and is the oldest and most important road built by the ancient Romans. Construction began in 312 BC, with the original purpose of extending to the East and Asia Minor as a strategic route for military conquest. It was continuously improved and expanded until the 4th century AD. Later, the existence of the Via Appia enabled the cities it connected to continue to grow and develop, and new residential areas emerged, thus promoting agricultural production and trade. The heritage site consists of 19 parts, forming a complete engineering complex, demonstrating the superb skills of Roman engineers in road construction, civil engineering projects, infrastructure, large-scale land reclamation, and the superb skills in building large buildings such as triumphal arches, baths, amphitheaters and cathedrals, aqueducts, canals, bridges, public fountains, etc. </p>