Roman Cistern
Roman Cistern
In the upper part of the city, beneath today's Piazza Matteotti, where the morphology of the terrain was most favorable, the Romans excavated a large rectangular chamber in the limestone bedrock to collect rainwater for drinking purposes: the Roman cistern.
This space-about 60 meters long, 19 meters wide, and 5.70 meters high-was later divided into ten parallel communicating chambers, built in opus incertum and covered with barrel vaults in Roman concrete. The floor and part of the walls were coated with hydraulic mortar, making them perfectly waterproof and preventing water loss into the ground.
The cistern complex is one of the finest examples of the Romanization process of this small Umbrian center.
The structure also served as a substructure supporting the area above, where the Romans built the city's main square: the Forum, the political and social heart of ancient Ameria.
Probably constructed in the 1st century Before Christ, when Amelia became a Roman municipality, the cistern remained in use until modern times. With its capacity of 4,400 cubic meters, it supplied water to all inhabitants through wells that provided daily household water.
This impressive structure-still perfectly preserved and fully accessible-retains all its essential components: the water intake system, the internal regulation system, and the drainage mechanism.
In one corner of the first chamber, visitors can admire a small section of flooring likely added during restoration works, with bricks bearing the stamp of the workshop owner: Caius Atilius Fortunatus, active in the 2nd century Anno Domini.
Contacts and how to get here
Email:
amelia.cultura@orologionetwork.it
Telephone:
0744 978120
Website:
http://www.ameliamusei.it
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ameliamusei/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AmeliaMusei
Opening hours
NOVEMBER 1st – MARCH 31st
Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays (Closed on December 25th)
GUIDED TOURS: 10:30 AM / 3:00 PM
APRIL 1st – MAY 31st
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays
GUIDED TOURS: 10:30 AM / 3:00 PM
JUNE 1st – SEPTEMBER 15th
Monday to Friday (excluding Wednesdays):
GUIDED TOURS 12:15 PM / 3:00 PM / 3:45 PM
Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays:
GUIDED TOURS 10:30 AM / 3:00 PM
SEPTEMBER 16th – OCTOBER 31st
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays
GUIDED TOURS: 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Tickets
Full Price Ticket:
€ 7.00
Reduced Ticket A:
€ 5.00
This ticket is valid for: groups of at least 15 people | Touring Club | FAI | University Students | Museums belonging to the Terre & Musei dell'Umbria Network | holders of a ticket for the Dodecagonal Bell Tower of Amelia | the Otricoli Archaeological Area | the Narni Medieval Environments Circuit | the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia Rome | Saint Patrick's Well in Orvieto | Narni Sotterranea | Marmore Falls | Fossil Forest of Dunarobba | and other agreements (see the hospitality page on the website).
Reduced Ticket B:
€ 2.00
This ticket is valid for: children aged 6 to 18.
Free Ticket:
Free
This ticket is valid for: residents of the Municipality of Amelia | children up to 5 years old | ICOM members | accredited journalists | licensed tourist guides | school groups and children participating in educational activities | disabled persons and their companion | and the family member accompanying a minor celebrating their birthday.
Family Ticket:
€ 5.00
This ticket is valid for: accompanying adults (maximum 2).
