Fontaine de la Roche, Roman archaeological site in Vénérand, France.
The Fontaine de la Roche features well-preserved stone arches and underground galleries that once formed part of an elaborate Roman water supply system serving the ancient city of Saintes.
Constructed in the 1st century AD during the Julio-Claudian dynasty, this Roman fountain was built around 20 AD as part of a 17-kilometer aqueduct network that supplied water to the ancient settlement of Mediolanum Santorum.
The site represents Roman engineering mastery in hydraulic systems, showcasing how ancient civilizations integrated water infrastructure into daily urban life through sophisticated underground channels and stone-carved basins.
Located in Vénérand commune, the archaeological site is accessible on foot from Saintes historic center and features informational panels explaining the Roman aqueduct construction and water management techniques.
The fountain includes a 7.7-meter deep rock-carved basin with a distinctive barrel-arch shape that demonstrates Roman engineers' ability to harness natural underground water sources through precisely calculated stone masonry.
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