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The Springs of Marano Equo: where Ancient Rome's water came from
The springs that once fed four Roman aqueducts, most notably the Aqua Marcia, sprang forth around the foot of the village of Marano Equo, in the Aniene Valley. Built in 144 BC and described by Pliny the Elder as "the purest of all water" these springs marked the starting point of a supply system stretching dozens of miles to reach the city of Rome.
A retreat in the shade of willow trees
To this day, the area preserves numerous springs along the riverbank, surrounded by poplars and willows in a well-preserved fluvial landscape. The mineral water flows freely—cold, crystal-clear, and possessing properties well-known to the ancient Romans. Tacitus even mentions them, recounting how the Emperor Nero tested the effects of the icy waters, nearly suffering a syncope (fainting spell) in the process.
How to get there
Access is through the main entrance on Via della Chiusa in Marano Equo. The site of the Roman springs, located at the 38th mile of the Via Sublacense, was identified in the 17th century by the archaeologist Fabretti, who discovered an ancient milestone on the Aniene river bed.
