Cisterne romane di Amelia
Impressive Roman water complex of ten rooms beneath Piazza Matteotti, in the ancient forum of Amelia, visitable with the city's museum circuit.
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About the museum
The Roman cisterns of Amelia lie beneath Piazza Matteotti, which coincides with the ancient city forum, in the northern part of the town between the hill of Santo Stefano and that of the cathedral. The impressive hydraulic structure dates from the period when Amelia became a Roman municipium and was equipped with public infrastructure; it served to supply the town with water, fed by rainfall.
The complex is exceptionally well preserved: the water inlet system, the internal device regulating the maximum level and the drainage system are all still present. A large rectangular hall cut into the limestone, measuring about 57.5 × 19.6 m, supports the forum and is divided into ten parallel rooms covered by barrel vaults, with a cylindrical well at the centre of each vault serving as a watering point and vent. The walls are in opus incertum with a concrete core, the vaults are in conglomerate, and the floor is waterproofed with cocciopesto (crushed-tile mortar). The total capacity is about 4,400 m³.
The cisterns are part of the museum circuit of the city of Amelia, together with the Museo civico archeologico e Pinacoteca “Edilberto Rosa” and Palazzo Petrignani.
Highlights
- Ten parallel rooms with barrel vaults
- Cylindrical wells at the centre of each vault
- Roman system for supplying and draining water still recognisable
- Capacity of about 4,400 m³
- Route beneath the ancient forum of Amelia
Permanent exhibition
- Cisterne romane sotto Piazza Matteotti – Ten interconnecting Roman rooms with the system for supplying, regulating and draining the water.
- Operated by
- Comune di Amelia (gestione: Sistema Museo)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,600
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5groups of at least 15 people, members of the Touring Club and FAI, university students, holders of tickets for other partner sites, and other agreements |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 5 · Young people aged 6 to 18: €2; free up to age 5. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and a companion. |
| Families | €5Family ticket: up to 2 accompanying adults €5 each, young people €2. |
| Guided tour for groups (up to 30 people, 30 minutes) | €60Fixed fee in addition to the circuit ticket. |
| Guided tour for schools | €50Fixed fee in addition to the circuit ticket. |
| Guided tour in another language | €100Fixed fee in addition to the circuit ticket. |
The ticket for the museum circuit of the city of Amelia covers the Museo archeologico e Pinacoteca “E. Rosa”, Palazzo Petrignani and the Cisterna Romana, and is valid for 7 days. Free also for residents of the Comune di Amelia, ICOM members, accredited journalists, licensed guides and school groups.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 30 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | At certain times special tours are offered combining Palazzo Petrignani, the Cisterna Romana and the Domus Romana di Palazzo Venturelli, starting from the archaeological museum (October to March: Monday at 11:00, Friday at 11:00 and 16:00; April–May: Friday and Monday at 11:00 and 17:00). Visits outside opening hours and for schools by booking. |
