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Cisternoni: The Roman Tanks of the Parthic-Conquering Second Legion
The Cisternoni (Great Cisterns) are located in Via della Stella in Albano Laziale. The complex consists of two parallel water reservoirs carved into the tuff in the 2nd century AD to supply the camp of the Legio II Parthica, stationed here by Septimius Severus around 202 AD. The cisterns collected water from the Acqua Ferrata Aqueduct, a branch of the aqueduct that also served Domitian's Villa. The total capacity was approximately 10,000 cubic metres, an enormous volume guaranteeing water supplies for over 6,000 soldiers and military services.
The Underground Structure
Each cistern is 48 metres long, 6 metres wide and 11 metres high, divided into five naves by tuff pillars supporting barrel vaults. The walls are lined with cocciopesto, a waterproof mixture of lime and ceramic fragments. On the ceiling are inspection and ventilation shafts that rise to the surface. The environment is completely dark, and the acoustics amplify every sound. The cisterns remained in use until the Middle Ages, before being reused as cellars.
Visiting and Military Context
The Cisternoni can be visited with guided tours organised by the Municipality. A modern stairway serves to go down into the underground space. The internal temperature remains constant at around 12 degrees Celsius all-year-round. In the territory of Albano there are other remains of the Legio II Parthica: the Baths of Cellomaio, the Severan Amphitheatre and sections of the camp walls. The Cisternoni are among the best-preserved Roman water structures in Lazio.
