Pont d'Aël
Pont d'Aël | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°40′36″N 7°13′20″E / 45.676667°N 7.222309°E |
| Carries | Aqueduct to Augusta Prætoria Salassorum (Aosta) |
| Crosses | Grand Eyvia |
| Locale | Pont d'Aël, Aymavilles, Aosta Valley, Italy |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Material | Stone |
| Total length | 60.46 m |
| Width | 2.26 m |
| Height | 22.15 m |
| Longest span | 14.24 m |
| No. of spans | 1 |
| Clearance below | 66 m (from bridge deck to torrent) |
| History | |
| Construction end | 3 BC |
| Location | |
The Pont d'Aël (French pronunciation: [pɔ̃ dɛl]) is a Roman aqueduct located in a village of the same name in the comune of Aymavilles in Aosta Valley, northern Italy. It was built in the year 3 BC for irrigation purposes and supplying water for the newly founded colony of Augusta Praetoria, which is now known as Aosta. The water was directed through a neighbouring valley 66 m above the floor of the Aosta valley, through a sophisticated system. The aqueduct is 6 km long in total. In addition to its unusual position, the construction, which was originally thought to be a three-story structure, shows more unique features such as a control corridor below the water line, as well as explicit private funding. Today, the water channel of the aqueduct serves as a public walking trail.
Besides the Pont d'Aël, two other Roman bridges in the Aosta valley are still intact: the Pont-Saint-Martin in the town of the same name and the Pont de Pierre in Aosta.