Roman aqueduct

The Roman Aqueduct of Plovdiv

The Roman aqueduct is one of the lesser-known but genuine testimonies to Plovdiv's ancient past. Ancient Philippopolis was a significant Roman city, and its water supply was provided through an aqueduct system that carried water from higher ground outside the city into the urban centre. Today, surviving portions of this Roman infrastructure can still be seen around town.

What you'll see

The remains of the aqueduct consist of segments of arches and walls built of stone and brick, typical of Roman water-supply engineering. It is not a spectacular, fully preserved monument like the great aqueducts of other cities in the empire, but rather fragments embedded in the modern urban landscape that let you picture the scale of the Roman city. For lovers of ancient history and archaeology, it is an interesting stop that rounds out the picture of Philippopolis.

Practical

The aqueduct sections lie within the city and can be visited freely, being out in the open. As they are fragments, it is worth folding them into a wider tour of Plovdiv's Roman monuments — the Roman Theatre, the Roman Stadium and the forum. Check a local map for the exact location of the remains. The best approach is a walking tour of the historic centre, which brings the ancient remains together with the Old Town.