The simplest, most primitive form of aqueduct was used in early Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon.
The aqueducts were built from a combination of stone, brick and the special volcanic cement pozzuolana.
While the great archways leave a definite impression, the bulk of the Roman waterway system ran below ground.
Channels bored through rock, or dug below the surface carried water where it was convenient and possible.
Here are 5 of the most well preserved aqueducts of the ancient Roman Empire.
The aqueduct is the city’s most important architectural landmark and was in operation right to the 20th century.
It runs another 15 km before arriving in the city.
The aqueduct is built of unmortared, brick-like granite blocks.
Today, two niches are still visible, one on each side of the aqueduct.
The whole aqueduct itself descends in height by only 17 m over its entire length of 50 km.
It attracted increasing attention starting in the 18th century and became an important tourist destination.
Today it is one of France’s most popular tourist attractions.
Except for a bend to allow the the construction of the Fatih Mosque, the aqueduct runs perfectly straight.
The surviving section is 921 meters long, about 50 meters less than the original length.
The date of construction of the aqueduct is uncertain.
Various measures aimed at the preservation of the buildings were carried out in the 18th to the 20th century.
