This suburban park was set up in 1988 as a protected area after two years of campaigning by the local citizen movement. Named after the magnificent channels that still exist, it provides one of the most famous landscapes in Rome.
In ancient times, these canals bore drinking water from the mountains in the east of Lazio (such as the hills of Albanians and the Semprueny Mountains) and were elevated on the ancient galleries once they reached the flat expanse of the Roman countryside.
The Aqua Claudia, the most impressive channel still in the garden, was built by the ancient Romans and was built in the reign of the emperors Caligula and Claudius. It can carry more than 2000 liters of water per second, 40 miles (70 km) from its original source.
Aqua Marsia was built in the late Republican era in 144 BC. And Aqua Marcia (who also carried the waters of Aqua Tepola and Aqua Yulia) Pope Sextis left the place to build the first papal canal, Aqua Felix, at the end of the sixteenth century. The path of Babal, less than its ancient Roman counterpart, runs along Aqua Claudia and intersects the nearby Tor Viscale park. Eventually ends in the famous fountain of Moses in Piazza San Bernardo. The park is a vast archeological site that preserves, among other sites, the remains of the Vignacce imperial villa (its private bathrooms still visible); a 12th-century Marana (or trench) built by the pope to provide water to the gardens of St. John the Latrines; Via Latina; and Casale di Torrevecchia from the 13th century, a fortified farm belonging to the powerful Turlonia family.
Know before you go
The park is a great location for running and cycling. The park is within walking distance of Cinecittà, Subaugusta, Giulio Agricola, Lucio Sestio Metro and Capannelle Train Stations.
