Pont d'Aël, Aymavilles, Italy

The Pont d'Aël is a Roman aqueduct, located in the comune of Aymavilles in Aosta Valley, northern Italy. It was built in the year 3 BCE for irrigation purposes and supplying water for the newly founded colony of Augusta Praetoria, which is now known as Aosta. The water was directed through a neighbouring valley 66 m above the floor of the Aosta valley, through a sophisticated system. The aqueduct is 6 km long in total. In addition to its unusual position, the construction, which was originally thought to be a three-story structure, shows more unique features such as a control corridor below the water line, as well as explicit private funding. Today, the water channel of the aqueduct serves as a public walking trail.

Besides the Pont d'Aël, two other Roman bridges in the Aosta valley are still intact: the Pont-Saint-Martin in the town of the same name and the Pont de Pierre in Aosta.

References:

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User Reviews

Jock Gill (15 months ago)
2000 year old example of superb Roman engineering. Apprentice this was built with private funding, not state money. Located in a ravine and a small village. Recommended

Jean-Jacques Maucuer (18 months ago)
Glorious testimony of Romans building genius. Impressive!

Jeroen Mourik (18 months ago)
Fabulous restoration and conversion. The glass floor is brilliant, yet a little scary if you suffer from vertigo.

Lin Lin en Hans Bree (2 years ago)
closed due to covid, otherwise 5 star

Isabel Goegebeur (2 years ago)
The Ancient Roman aqueduct is a landmark not to be missed when you're in the region. It leads to a few interesting mountain walks with wonderful views of the Aosta valley.

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