Alexandrine Aqueduct
One of ancient Rome’s most ambitious hydraulic engineering projects, the Alexandrine Aqueduct supplied water to the city’s eastern districts under Emperor Alexander Severus.
At a glance
The Alexandrine Aqueduct represents the eleventh major water-supply system constructed during Rome’s imperial era. Built in 226 AD, it exemplifies the sophisticated engineering required to sustain a metropolis of over one million inhabitants. The aqueduct’s infrastructure connected distant water sources to the growing urban landscape.
History
Emperor Alexander Severus commissioned the aqueduct’s construction in 226 AD to meet the increasing water demands of Rome’s expanding population. This engineering feat arrived during the third century, a period of significant urban development. The Alexandrine system joined a network of ten previously constructed aqueducts that collectively sustained the ancient capital.
What you see
Remains of the aqueduct’s masonry and structural elements are visible along Via dei Pioppi in Rome’s eastern districts. The surviving sections demonstrate Roman builders’ characteristic use of arches and subterranean channels to transport water efficiently across varied terrain.
Cultural significance
The aqueduct illustrates Rome’s technical mastery and organizational capacity during the imperial period. Water infrastructure was essential to civic life, enabling public baths, fountains, and domestic supply systems that defined urban Roman culture. The Alexandrine Aqueduct remains a testament to imperial investment in public welfare and engineering innovation.
Key facts
- Built: 226 AD
- Commissioned by: Emperor Alexander Severus
- Address: Via dei Pioppi, 00181 Roma
- Coordinates: 41.878236, 12.572574
- Phone: 06 0606
- Official website: https://www.comune.roma.it/pcr/it/dip_pol_riq_per_pae_acq.page
Practical information
The site is accessible to the public. For current opening hours and visiting conditions, contact the Roma municipality or consult the official website.
Getting there
The aqueduct remains are located on Via dei Pioppi in Rome’s eastern neighborhoods. Public transportation connects this area to central Roma. GPS coordinates (41.878236, 12.572574) can guide you to the site.
Sources & resources
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