Aqua Anio Vetus, Roman aqueduct in Porta Praenestina, Italy
The Aqua Anio Vetus is a Roman aqueduct that conveyed water from the Anio River to ancient Rome through a combination of underground passages and elevated sections. The system used intake points and distribution channels to direct water flow across multiple urban zones.
The aqueduct was built in the later 300s BC as one of Rome's earliest water infrastructure projects. This early system established the foundations for the organized water supply network that would expand over centuries.
This aqueduct supplied water to different districts across Rome for public fountains and daily use by residents. The structure played a central role in supporting the city's growing population and urban activities.
The intake source is located in the hills north of Rome near Vicovaro and Mandela where water was first captured from the river. Visitors exploring the site should expect uneven terrain and sections that are partially underground or heavily overgrown.
The system included specialized settling tanks designed to filter sediment from the water before it reached the city. These technical measures demonstrate how Roman engineers addressed water quality long before modern sanitation practices.
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