Valens Aqueduct

Valens Aqueduct

The Valens Aqueduct is a Roman aqueduct that served as the main water supply system for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire (present-day Istanbul, Turkey). It was completed in the late 4th century by Byzantine Emperor Valens and later restored by several sultans of the Ottoman Empire, making it one of the city’s most important landmarks. The aqueduct is situated in Istanbul’s Fatih district, spanning the valley between the hills where Istanbul University and the Fatih Mosque now stand. The preserved section is 921 meters long, about 50 meters shorter than its original length.

Istanbul’s water supply system was first established during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian. After Emperor Constantine made the city his capital, the urban area expanded significantly, requiring a major extension of the water system to meet the needs of the rapidly growing population. The Valens Aqueduct was the longest of its kind at the time and part of a larger network of branches, each designated to supply water to the capital. The city's water was once stored in three open-air reservoirs and over 100 underground cisterns.

Originally 971 meters long and reaching up to 29 meters in height, the Valens Aqueduct featured arches numbered 1–40 and 46–51 built during Valens’ era, arches 41–45 added under Sultan Mustafa II, and arches 52–56 constructed during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Today, although the aqueduct no longer serves its original function—having been replaced by modern transportation—the graceful arches remain a striking sight.

Valens Aqueduct

Why you should visit: One of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks

Continent: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region: Turkey

Province/State: Istanbul Province

City: Istanbul