Salerno Aqueduct

The medieval aqueduct of Salerno was built in the ninth century to supply water to the monastery of St. Benedict, at the eastern walls. It is located in the historic center of Salerno, under the hill Bonadies and its Arechi Castle.

It consists of two branches: one coming from the hills to the north, the other one from the high ground to the east of the city; both rejoined along the street Arce (which by their arches is named), at an edge of the old city walls. At first only stocked the Benedictine monastery, and later, a branch underground allowed to supply the convent of Piantanova, Via Mercanti.

The aqueduct was popularly renamed 'Bridges of the Devil' and it was said that it was built in a single night, with the help of demons, by the magician of the twelfth century Peter Barliario. The popular superstition considered also that venture under the arches between dusk and dawn would bring to the meeting with devils or evil spirits.

References:

• livesalerno.com

Address

Via Generale Ferrante Maria Gonzaga 2, Salerno, Italy

Details

Founded: 9th century AD
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Italy