Salerno Aqueduct, Salerno, Italy

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

Miscellaneous historic sites in Italy

User Reviews

Valentin Chobanov (14 months ago)
Its a very interesting addition to the urban atmosphere. There is a full on english tablet with the history of the aqueduct. Its cool to see something that was once a standard of engineering.

Marin “SayanMk” Kolev (14 months ago)
Not something worth mentioning or visiting unless you're wondering what to do. It's a parking-lot-road, so it's not an attraction, nor supported, it's just "there". Not bad all in all, but not a tourist attraction.

Moheb (2 years ago)
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.

stephen loudon (2 years ago)
Beautifully and intact acqeduct in the center of Salerno.

Mark and Jen Ackerman (2 years ago)
Amazing engineering achievement given it was built 1200 years ago. Worth a look.

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