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.

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Aymavilles, Italy
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Founded: 3 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Italy

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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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