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Underground Rieti: the Roman Viaduct Hidden Beneath the Palaces of the Historic Centre
A Roman viaduct of the 3rd century BC lies concealed beneath Via Roma, the main street of Rieti. It was built to solve a very practical problem: the River Velino flooded frequently, and the Via Salaria — the ancient salt road connecting Rome to the Adriatic Sea — was at risk of becoming a swamp. The Romans solved this by raising the road using massive arches of travertine blocks. Today those arches are incorporated into the cellars of the noble palaces, and can be visited with a guide.
Walking through the palace cellars
The tour begins in Piazza Cavour, near the remains of the Roman bridge visible over the Velino. Visitors enter the underground levels of Palazzo Napoleoni, pass beneath a viaduct arch spanning over 5 metres in width, and emerge into the courtyard of Palazzo Vecchiarelli, designed by Carlo Maderno in the late 16th century. In between are passageways, medieval spaces reused as workshops and storerooms, and glimpses now and again of Via Roma above through iron grilles set into the paving. The route has existed since 1995, when several families opened their cellars to the public. Since then it has become the most visited attraction in the city.
