Alexandrian Aqueduct

The Alexandrian Aqueduct, the last of the great aqueducts built in ancient Rome, was completed in 226 AD during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus. This aqueduct was built to supply the new baths he built in the Campus Martius, known as the Alexandrian Baths, which replaced the previous Nero’s Baths. The aqueduct stretched for about 22 kilometers, starting from the sources located in Pantano Borghese, along the Via Prenestina. The aqueduct was a masterpiece of hydraulic engineering, combining underground and elevated sections. Initially, water was transported through underground tunnels that easily crossed the heights. The route then continued on the surface, passing through various locations such as Torre Angela, Vallelunga, Tor Tre Teste, Centocelle, and Tor Pignattara, before returning underground and reaching Rome through Porta Maggiore until reaching the Campus Martius. The arches of the aqueduct, made of brick curtain, show various restoration interventions and structural modifications over the centuries. During the 3rd and 4th centuries, the arches were reinforced with new layers of brick, while in the 5th and 6th centuries they were covered with blocks of tuff alternating with bricks. A further significant restoration was carried out under the pontificate of Pope Adrian I at the end of the 8th century, which consolidated the structure using reused blocks from other buildings. The aqueduct route included spectacular sections, such as the one in the Centocelle district, where the arches reached a height of about 25 meters. In this area, the aqueduct is clearly visible with 50 arches overlooking Viale Palmiro Togliatti, offering an impressive testimony of Roman engineering mastery. Another remarkable stretch is visible at the end of Via Tor Pignattara, where the aqueduct crosses the ditch of Acqua Bullicante (or Maranella). Despite the passing of centuries, the Alexandrian Aqueduct has continued to influence the urban landscape of Rome. Today, its remains can be admired in various parts of the city, often integrated into green areas and public parks. In recent years, the Municipality of Rome has initiated urban redevelopment projects in the neighborhoods crossed by the aqueduct, such as Tor Tre Teste, Alessandrino, and Quarticciolo. These interventions have included the creation of cycle paths, green areas, and the restoration of the archaeological part of the aqueduct, with the aim of enhancing the extreme eastern periphery of the capital. The Alexandrian Aqueduct not only provided water to the baths and citizens of Rome but also represented a symbol of the power and innovation of the Roman Empire. Its complex water distribution system included storage tanks, settling tanks for water cleaning, and net filters to remove sediments. These elements demonstrate the advanced hydraulic technology of the Romans and their ability to manage essential resources on a large scale.