Paesaggi di Puglia e ’patrimonio UNESCO’: da Castel del Monte alla viae Appia e Traiana Passato, presente e… ritorno al futuro!

A new study reveals the significant morphogenetic capacity of medieval landscapes in central Puglia, Italy, with Castel del Monte—a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996—as its focal point. The research highlights how a robust ancient road network, rooted in the Appian and Trajan's Ways, has shaped historical settlements and fortifications across southeastern Italy. These routes, representing the first 'highway' system in Euro-Mediterranean history, demonstrate remarkable engineering resilience and cultural endurance, underpinning their potential nomination for UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 2024. The study employs a comprehensive analysis of settlement density, urban-rural fortification systems, and historical road infrastructure to elucidate this dynamic interplay between landscape evolution and heritage preservation.

Diceglie, A., & Silvio Fioriello, C. (2023). Paesaggi di Puglia e ’patrimonio UNESCO’: da Castel del Monte alla viae Appia e Traiana Passato, presente e… ritorno al futuro! Thematic Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference Educational Programs — the Future of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 392–411. https://doi.org/10.18485/arh_whc50.2023.ch20