Aqua Claudia, Rome, Italy - SpottingHistory

Aqua Claudia was an ancient Roman aqueduct that was begun by Emperor Caligula in 38 AD and finished by Emperor Claudius in 52 AD.

The total length was approximately 69 kilometres, most of which was underground. The flow was about 190,000 cubic metres in 24 hours. Directly after its filtering tank, near the seventh mile of the Via Latina, it finally emerged onto arches, which increase in height as the ground falls toward the city, reaching over 30 metres.

Nero extended the aqueduct with the Arcus Neroniani to the Caelian hill and Domitian further extended it to the Palatine after which the Aqua Claudia could provide all 14 Roman districts with water. The section on the Caelian hilll was called arcus Caelimontani.

The aqueduct went through at least two major repairs. Tacitus suggests that the aqueduct was in use by AD 47. An inscription from Vespasian suggests that Aqua Claudia was used for ten years, then failed and was out of use for nine years. The first repair was done by Emperor Vespasian in 71 AD; it was repaired again in 81 AD by Emperor Titus.

Alexander Severus reinforced the arches of Nero (CIL VI.1259) where they are called arcus Caelimontani, including the line of arches across the valley between the Caelian and the Palatine.

The church of San Tommaso in Formis was later built into the side of the aqueduct.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Kathryn Ng (2 years ago)
Stunningly magnificent view of Roman architecture and how it has stood the test of time. Well worth a visit, especially as it is so nice and peaceful out here, unlike the city centre. The park is lovely to take a stroll in and there are plenty of benches where one can rest and relax.

Sean Kelly (2 years ago)
A free park with ruins of a Roman Aquaduct. A great place for a morning run. It's quiet. There's lots of locals out for their daily walk.

Sah Poran Dali (2 years ago)
Relaxing and clam place . It's very big in landscape. It has a canal and pond inside

Wiktoria (2 years ago)
Amazing place worth visit in rome. Good to walk around have a nice pond next to it

Scott Stewart (2 years ago)
This place is huge! It is almost all ruins now but there are some mosaics and frescos around. If you have a good imagination, you can get an idea of the grandeur of ancient Rome.

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