| Country: | ITA |
| Type: | SS |
| Route: | 7 |
| Alternate Name: | Via Appia |
| Map: | Italia_-_mappa_strada_statale_7.svg |
| Maint: | ANAS |
| Length Km: | 713.450 |
| Terminus A: | Rome |
| Terminus B: | Brindisi |
| Regions: | Lazio Campania Basilicata Apulia |
Strada statale 7 Via Appia (SS 7) is a motorway that follows the path of the ancient Appian Way, connecting Rome to Brindisi. In the stretch between Cisterna di Latina and Terracina, the SS 7 is called "fettuccia di Terracina" ("the Terracina Ribbon") due to its straight line.
See main article: Appian Way.
The modern SS 7 was established in 1928 with the following route: "Roma – Velletri – Terracina – Capua – Napoli – Marigliano – Avellino – Atripalda – Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi Junction – Lioni – Ruoti – Potenza – Laterza – Castellaneta – Taranto – Francavilla – Brindisi."[1]
The motorway's route was changed in 1935, abandoning the original section from Capua to Avellino passing through Naples and Marigliano in favor of a more northern route passing through Caserta and Benevento. The abandoned route was reused as the new .[2]
In 1937 the route was changed again, abandoning the original section from Pozzo Grillo in Laterza through Ginosa in favor of a more northern route passing through Matera. The new route included a section that had previously been part of .[3]
In 1951, the branch from Formia to Gaeta was classified as a state road.[4]
In 1952, the branch connecting the SS 7 to the Rome-Ciampino airport was classified as a state road.[5]