An evidence of the durability of these old Roman structures is furnished in this junction of water from Lake Bracciano by Cardinal Orsini, under authority of Clement X., upon condition that a part of the water should be used to feed a second fountain about to be built in St. Peter’s Square at Rome, and the rest to be divided between the Apostolic Chamber and the House of Orsini. From the lake the conduit leads to the old Alsietina Aqueduct, in which it flows 20 miles to the city, and it was found to be in so perfect a state when the trial was first made after the restoration, October 13th, 1693, that all the water which entered the old Aqueduct was discharged at Rome without any loss, after its use had been suspended nearly 1000 years.
The Principal Modern Aqueducts of Italy, France, Etc.
Aqueduct of Caserta.
This Aqueduct was built by the order of the King of Naples, Charles III., for conducting water to his residence which he had at Caserta, a town situated about fifteen miles north of Naples.
This Aqueduct was commenced in 1753. It is twenty-seven miles long, from the sources which supply it to the gardens of Caserta. The sources are at the base of the mountain called Taburno; the principal one is called Sorgente de la Sfizzo; it is afterwards joined by streams from many other sources, which are in the country called Airola.
These waters are all joined in one Aqueduct, crossing the river Faënza, upon a bridge of three arches, built in 1753. Again, in the valley of Durazzano, there is another bridge of three arches, upon which the Aqueduct crosses the valley, passing over the river, and extending from the mountain called Santa Agata de’Goti, to the mountain of Durazzano.
This Aqueduct afterwards crosses a deep valley, which it meets between Monte-Longano and the hills Tifata, where ancient Caserta is situated, about the place called Monte di Gazzano. The crossing of this valley required the most important of all the constructions connected with the work. It was accomplished by an Aqueduct bridge, 1724 feet long and 190 feet in height, composed of three tiers of arches, one above another. The lower range has nineteen arches, the middle twenty-seven, and the upper one forty-three; making in all eighty-nine arches.
The labor of constructions under ground for this Aqueduct was more than that above; it pierced through five hills or mountains, making an aggregate length of tunnel of about four miles, and most of this was through rock.
To give air and light to the channel, they made pits or wells; some of which were 250 feet deep, 10 feet diameter at the bottom, and 4 at the top.