Italy has been successful in its bid to have the Via Appia Antica included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the United Nations' cultural body announced on Saturday. The “Via Appia. Regina viarum” candidacy of the ancient Roman road, approved during the UNESCO summer session in New Dehli, was the first such bid promoted directly by the Italian culture ministry.

The UNESCO recognition refers to the full route of the Appia Way, from Rome to Brindisi in south-east Italy, and including the Via Traiana, built by Emperor Trajan from Beneveneto to Brindisi. Dating to 312 BC, the Via Appia is the first and most important Roman roads and was known as Regina Viarum or "queen of the roads" by the Romans.