Water, Water Everywhere

A set of the many things Rome is famous for are its ancient aqueducts, some of which are still in use today. Back in the 2nd century BC, Rome's city wells were no longer delivering the water needed to keep the city running, so a series of aqueducts were built to bring in water from surrounding hillsides. The largest aqueduct was Aqua Novus, which stretched around 59 miles outside the city.

The aqueducts worked by collecting water from a spring in the hills to a reservoir. This built up pressure and guaranteed a steady supply to the city. The brilliant engineering tactics allowed for each Roman citizen at the time to have about 1 cubic meter of water each day, which is more than what most city residents see today.

Because of these aqueducts, Rome has fountains located all over the city continuously flowing with clean water. Locals and tourists are able to pop open their empty water bottles and fill them up, use the fountain to clean their hands or slash their faces, or plug a hole in the bottom of many to allow the water to squirt up like the water fountains we're used to.

One such fountain right outside my classroom, called Il Fontana del Facchino, is also a famed "talking fountain." These talking fountains and statues were used for political satire and some would actually respond to each other all across the city. The practice is generally dead, but one can sometimes still find a fountain starting a conversation.

1. "Fountains of Rome." Avventure Belissime - Italy Tours, Rome, Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Pompeii, Amalfi Tours & Shore Excursions. 25 May 2009 .

2. Publishing, DK. Rome (Eyewitness Travel Guides). New York: DK Travel, 2006.

3. "Roman Aqueducts." UNRV History - Roman Empire. 25 May 2009 .