Acquedotto Mediceo, Renaissance aqueduct in Pisa and San Giuliano Terme, Italy
The Acquedotto Mediceo is a Renaissance aqueduct that stretches across multiple kilometers between Asciano and Pisa, constructed from hundreds of stone arches. The structure originally ended near the Medieval Walls and represents one of the major engineering undertakings of its era.
Ferdinand I de' Medici commissioned this project in 1588 to transport water from the Serchio River to Pisa. Work was completed in 1613 under the supervision of architect Andrea Sandrini.
The structure demonstrates how Renaissance engineers solved the practical problem of moving water across the landscape using design and craftsmanship. Walking along its arches, you can see the careful blend of technical necessity and building skill that shaped the local environment.
Today you can use sections of the aqueduct as cycling and walking trails connecting Pisa and Asciano. The route offers pleasant views of the surrounding countryside and is accessible to visitors of various abilities.
The foundation of the aqueduct incorporates buried pine tree trunks, a practical solution for anchoring it in the soft Tuscan soil. These natural materials show how builders used local resources to create structures that lasted centuries.
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