Blogs we like

One of the most incredible, but rarely visited sites in Rome, is Aqueduct Park (Parco degli acquedotti).

The park actually hosts seven Roman aqueducts: Marcio, Anio Novus, Tepula, Mariana, Claudio, Iulia and Felice. These aqueducts took advantage of the natural hills of the area to bring water into the city.

The Aqua Claudio reached a height of 28 meters. It was built around 52 D and named after the emperor Claudio who inaugurated it. This aqueduct was also nicknamed “magnificentissimus” due to the excellent quality of the water provided!

By far the Aqua Claudio is the most impressive and the one you want to see! On top of the Aqua Claudio ran the Anio Novus. The Aqua Mariana is a ditch that you will only find if you are looking for it (and know exactly WHERE to look). It carried the water of the Aqua Iulia and the Aqua Tepula. With the exception of this ditch, nothing can be really be seen of these three. The Aqua Marcio has largely vanished. Most of its length as you got closer to Rome was replaced by the “newer” Aqua Felice of Pope Sixtus V. As you walk near the aqueducts you will see the ruins of several villas. Wear comfortable shoes, take plenty of water… and even a picnic lunch!

DIRECTIONS

There are many different ways to get to the Aqueduct Park. Using public transportation we found this to be the best (and easiest) travel route. Take the Metro Line A towards Anagnina and get off at the Giulio Agricola Metro Stop (below).

“Streetview” from Google Maps

You’ll exit the Giulio Agricola Metro Station at the intersection of Via Tuscolana and Viale Giulio Agricola. In the picture above, you’ll want to head down the street, Viale Giulio Agricola. It is the road behind the young lady in the crosswalk. 

“Streetview” from Google Maps

When you leave the Giulio Agricola Metro Station, turn southeast on Viale Giulio Agricola and head four blocks until it dead-ends into Via Lemonia. It’s a “short” four block walk, as pictured above.

“Streetview” from Google Maps

When you get to the end of Viale Giulio Agricola you will see this huge church. Turn LEFT onto Via Lemonia if you want to head to Aqua Claudio. Behind this church you will see the “new” Aqua Felice (circa 1500′s). You can walk over and take a look – or to see the more ancient ruins, go LEFT and keep walking down Via Lemonia.

“Streetview” from Google Maps

As you walk down Via Lemonia, you will see park areas such as this. The ruins of the “new” Aqua Felice (1500′s ) will be on your right, and as you get farther down Via Lemonia you will start to see more ancient aqueduct ruins.

“Streetview” from Google Maps

If you walk to the end of Via Lemonia (about four blocks), this is your view! In front of you, on the right, stretches an unending and incredible view of the ancient aqueducts. Here you can easily see the ruins of the impressive Aqua Claudia.

Once you get to the park, you can walk right up to these incredible aqueducts. They seem to stretch on forever.

Here, you’re close to the Appian Way and it does not even feel like you’re in a city of almost 3 million people!

As you can see, there are trails on either side of the Aqueducts. You’ll find folks walking, jogging, kicking a soccer ball, or riding their bikes alongside these ancient ruins.

For many folks, it’s just a place to go have a picnic. We’re here with friends on a Sunday afternoon doing just that.

It’s so quiet out here. In the distance you can see the city. In fact, you’re near the flight path of Ciampino Airport and you’ll see planes landing every few minutes. In another direction, you can look and see the trains running on the tracks a couple of miles away. There’s even a small golf course adjacent to the Aqueducts. Despite all these “modern distractions in the distance, it’s still incredibly quiet and serene…. quite a unique spot in the middle of Rome!

For more information, an excellent book on the aqueducts is “Guide to the Aqueducts of Ancient Rome” by Peter J. Aicher.

More pictures of Aqueduct Park

Clouds and arches – Flickr photo by |nsane

Sheep – Flickr photo by Marco Sampa

Golf course alongside Aqueduct – Flickr photo by Mario Caruso

Sunset – Flickr photo by Gothic666