Top 10 Facts about the Aqueducts in Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome left us many buildings and complex structures to admire every day. It is amazing how many works have withstood the weather and the passage of time. Don’t you believe it too?
Testimony of their work and applied sciences show us how cutting edge they were in those days.
You can take a walk on the Via Appia where you can see the first “selci” used to allow wagons to transport goods all over thanks to the paved road.
If you prefer you can admire the Colosseum, despite everything. All this it’s a real fortune because it allows us to understand the greatness of Roman civilization.
But the Roman civilization has managed to go much further.
Romans gave birth to the famous “Roman aqueducts”. The aqueducts supplied the city and surrounding areas with water.
Thanks to them, Romans installed fountains all around the city and helped many people in need.
Let’s discover the top 10 facts about the roman aqueducts.
1. How many aqueducts are there in Rome?
The aqueducts present in the Roman territory are in total 16.
Eleven aqueducts from Roman times are the following:
1. Aqua Appia
2. Anio Vetus
3. Aqua Marcia
4. Aqua Tepula
5. Aqua Iulia
6. Aqua Virgo
7. Aqua Alsietina
8. Aqua Claudia
9. Anio Novus
10. Aqua Traiana
11. Aqua Alexandrina
Among these only, the Virgo aqueduct is still working. It has never stopped bringing water throughout Rome in the last 2 millennia. While the aqueducts of modern and Renaissance origin are 5 and are the following:
12. Acqua Felice
13. Acqua Paola
14. Acqua Pia Antica Marcia
15. Aqueduct of Peschiera-Capore
16. Appio-Alessandrino aqueduct
2. The book of water: De Aquis Urbis Romae
You must know that there is an ancient book about the waters of Rome.
The book called “De Aquis Urbis” by Sesto Giulio Frontino is a testimony of the situation in Rome. He tells us that until 312 BC the citizens were not satisfied. They used the water from the Tiber and wells. But from that moment on it was no longer enough to quench the thirst of the ever-expanding city.
Eleven aqueducts were immediately built to bring a huge amount of water to the city. Private homes, public and monumental fountains, swimming pools and thermal baths had water!
3. How were the aqueducts built?
The Romans had to identify the water source which had to be high to allow a correct slope. In this way, the pipeline would have transported the water to Rome very easily. The aqueduct was then called “caput aquae”. In the end, they positioned pools or “limariae chambers” where the water was grossly purified.
The conduction channel, made of stone or masonry, started from the same pool and arrived in the city. The canal had to maintain a constant slope to ensure the continuous flow of water.
Roman buried the canals to keep the water fresh. But other times they left them on the surface especially when there were hills or valleys.
4. Who took care of the aqueducts?
Until the end of the Roman Empire, it was the censors who took care of the Roman aqueducts. The censors were often joined by “edile curale” who dealt with the economic aspect.
From 33 to 12 BC Agrippa monopolized the Roman aqueducts and thus obtained control of the water. The figure of the “curator aquarum” was then created. The curator was the only one responsible for the water resources of the Roman city.
5. The diseases
The use of water from the Tiber and stagnant wells contributed to the spread of many diseases. But even after the creation of the aqueducts, the Romans fell ill. Due to the lead present in the pipes, some romans went crazy while others lost their teeth.
6. The “Virgo” aqueduct
The sixth aqueduct known as “Virgo” was then built by Agrippa who inaugurated it on June 9, 19 BC.
Its name derives from the legend of a girl who allegedly indicated the place of the spring to the soldiers.
But it actually refers to the purity of the water.
The aqueduct is about 20 km long. But is almost completely located underground and reached the slopes of the Pincio.
7. The fountain in Vicolo Della Spada in Orlando
The Goths in 537 damaged the Virgo aqueduct but Pope Adrian I had it restored and later increased its scope.
The Virgo aqueduct is still functioning today. The water feeds the districts of Colonna, Campo Marzio and Trevi. Let’s not forget the Barcaccia in Piazza di Spagna and the fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona. but also the fountain in Vicolo Della Spada in Orlando.
If you have the occasion try and visit the fountain in Vicolo Della Spada di Orlando and taste the fresh roman water!
8. Fontana dell’acqua Paola
The fountain is also known as “Fontanone del Gianicolo”.
Was beautifully built between 1611 and 1615 approximately. But is the terminal part of the Trajan aqueduct.
Carlo Fontana restored it around the end of the 17th century.
The monument has appeared in several films including “The Great Beauty”.
The structure is equipped with three large central arches and two smaller lateral ones separated by columns resting on pedestals.
The three central arches do not contain statues but rather large windows open to admire the botanical garden behind them.
The five spouts allow the water to flow into the large tank on the front.
9. You don’t have to buy water
Rome can be expensive when it comes to meals and souvenirs. But one thing is sure you won’t have to buy water.
Thanks to the ancient Romans and their intelligence, the city is full of fountains from which to drink plenty of drinking water!
Remember to bring reusable water bottles with you and you will not need to spend money to buy water.
Especially if you plan to visit it in the summer!
10. The park of the Aqueducts
Once in Rome you absolutely must not miss a visit to the park of the aqueducts.
Once here you will take a curious walk through the history of Rome.
You will find yourself admiring the large arches of the aqueducts and you will be able to touch history firsthand.
You will not regret it!
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