Parco degli Acquedotti - Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica

Between the Appia Nuova and Tuscolana streets, the mighty structures of the Roman aqueducts Aqua Marcia, Claudia and Anio Novus stand out in the countryside. The Aqua Marcia, built between 144 and 140 BC. by the praetor Quinto Marcio Re, it is the longest aqueduct in Rome. Between the second and first centuries. B.C. the conduits of two other aqueducts were superimposed on it: the Aqua Tepula and the Aqua Iulia. Aqua Claudia was started by Caligula in 38 AD. and finished by Claudius in 52 AD. Anio Novus was also commissioned by Caligula and finished by Claudius in 52 AD. The emperor, having already given his name to the other aqueduct, dedicated this water to the Aniene river using the adjective "novus" to distinguish it from the "vetus", already existing since 272 BC. The Anio Novus shared a large part of its route with the Aqua Claudia whose structures it overlapped. The best preserved stretch is clearly visible above the Aqua Claudia, inside the Parco degli Acquedotti.