Acquedotto Medievale, Perugia

Aqueduct in Perugia

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Comune di Perugia

Perugia's medieval aqueduct is one of those places where engineering, landscape and everyday life come together in a surprisingly beautiful way. Built between 1254 and 1280 under Fra Bevignate and Boninsegna da Venezia to carry water from Monte Pacciano to the Fontana Maggiore, it once used a pressure-forced duct to push water uphill into the heart of the city. Today, the final stretch survives as a distinctive pedestrian street, a narrow bridge with round arches and a parapet, connecting the Porta Sant'Angelo district with the historic centre and offering views into backyards and over rooftops, making it one of the best places to visit in Perugia if you enjoy walking through living history.

As you follow the former aqueduct in towards the centre, you see how houses have grown right up against it, with elevated doorways opening directly onto the old conduit, turning a piece of medieval infrastructure into one of Perugia's most characterful streets. Deeper underground, the last section of the aqueduct becomes a tunnel that once carried water to the Fontana Maggiore and now forms part of a guided archaeological route, a great place to visit on a walking tour of Perugia when you want to understand how the city's water system literally ran beneath people's feet.

History and Significance of the Perugia Aqueduct
Things to See and Do in the Perugia Aqueduct
How to Get to the Perugia Aqueduct
Practical Tips on Visiting the Perugia Aqueduct
Where to Stay close to the Perugia Aqueduct
Is the Perugia Aqueduct Worth Visiting
FAQs for Visiting Perugia Aqueduct
Nearby Attractions to the Perugia Aqueduct

History and Significance of the Perugia Aqueduct

Work on Perugia's aqueduct began in 1254 and finished in 1280, overseen by Fra Bevignate and Boninsegna da Venezia. Stretching for roughly four kilometres from Monte Pacciano down to the city, it was a remarkable feat of medieval hydraulic engineering, using a pressure-forced duct to lift water uphill to the Fontana Maggiore. In 1322 a more direct, higher duct was added, despite the extra challenges of pressure and height; a plaque on the upper basin of the fountain still recalls this improvement.

For centuries the aqueduct was a lifeline, feeding Perugia’s most famous fountain and supporting daily life in the hilltop city. Its construction drew on local stone and existing Etruscan and medieval structures, weaving the waterworks into the broader network of walls, streets and gates. The system was ambitious and technically advanced for its time, but like many medieval infrastructures it struggled with maintenance and reliability as the city grew and demands increased.

By 1835, chronic functional and upkeep problems meant the old aqueduct was finally decommissioned and replaced by a new system bringing water from Bagnara di Nocera Umbra to the Monteripido tank. At Monte Pacciano you can still see traces of the original works, including reconstructed arches in medieval style and the site of the now-closed Museum of Water and Conservoni. Down in the city, the adaptation of the last stretch into a walkway and the survival of the underground tunnel to the Fontana Maggiore keep the memory of this remarkable water route alive in the urban fabric.

Things to See and Do in the Perugia Aqueduct

The easiest way to experience the aqueduct today is to walk along its elevated stretch just before it reaches the historic centre. This section was transformed in the early 19th century into a pedestrian bridge supported by ten spans with round arches and topped by a parapet. As you stroll along, you are literally walking where water once flowed, now repurposed as a quiet route above the streets and gardens below. The perspective is unusual: you are at first-floor level, looking into courtyards and across tiled roofs rather than up at façades from street level.

Some of the most charming details are the houses built directly against the aqueduct, with elevated doors and steps leading up to what were once simple access points. This tight relationship between domestic architecture and public infrastructure gives the walkway a distinctive character; it feels at once intimate and open, a place where locals still pass daily and visitors can pause to enjoy the views and the steady rhythm of arches beneath their feet.

For a deeper dive into the aqueduct's story, seek out the last underground section starting at Via Appia. This tunnel, originally Etruscan, was reused from the 13th to the 19th centuries as the final link carrying water to the Fontana Maggiore. Following it on a special guided tour, you trace the old conduit towards the smaller Etruscan gate known as the Postierla della Conca. Today that gate opens into the archaeological area beneath the cathedral, so this underground path gives you not only a glimpse of the water system but also another angle on Perugia's layered Etruscan and medieval past.

How to Get to the Perugia Aqueduct

Most visitors arrive in Perugia via San Francesco d'Assisi - Perugia Airport, a small regional airport with connections to other Italian and European cities. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Perugia on Booking.com. From the airport you can take a shuttle bus or taxi into town, then connect with local buses or the minimetro up to the historic centre.

If you are coming by train, you will arrive at Perugia’s main station in the valley, served by regional and intercity services.Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy. From there, the minimetro or city buses carry you up to the old town; from the upper stops it is a short walk through the medieval streets to reach the aqueduct walkway and, separately, Via Appia for the underground section.

Travelling by car, follow the main roads into Perugia and use one of the multi-storey or terrace car parks around the edges of the centre, then continue on foot.If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Once you are in the old town, local maps and signs will guide you towards the Porta Sant'Angelo district and the elevated aqueduct walk, or towards the cathedral area for the undercity route.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Perugia Aqueduct

Suggested tips: Wear comfortable shoes, as the aqueduct walk involves cobbles, gentle slopes and some steps, and consider combining the elevated route with an underground tour for a full sense of the system.
Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon offers softer light and fewer people on the walkway, while underground sections are a good option during the heat of the day or in poor weather.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24 Hours
How long to spend: Allow 30-45 minutes for a relaxed walk along the aqueduct, and about 60-90 minutes if you add the underground route and archaeological area.
Accessibility: The elevated section is relatively gentle but still includes uneven surfaces and occasional steps; the underground tunnel is narrower, with low ceilings and more demanding terrain, and may not suit all visitors.
Facilities: There are no facilities on the aqueduct itself; cafés, toilets and shops are available in nearby streets of the historic centre and around the cathedral.
Photography tip: Use the arches to frame views of the city and countryside, and look for compositions that show the relationship between the aqueduct, the houses that lean against it and the streets below.
Guided tours: Check with local tourist offices or the cathedral museum about guided visits that include the aqueduct tunnel and the Postierla della Conca, as commentary adds a lot to understanding what you are seeing.
Nearby food options: Finish your walk with a coffee, gelato or aperitivo in one of the bars or cafés near Corso Vannucci or in the streets leading back from the aqueduct into the centre.

Where to Stay close to the Perugia Aqueduct

Staying in Perugia’s historic centre makes it easy to explore both the elevated aqueduct walk and the underground sections from Via Appia. A classic choice is Sina Brufani, which sits close to the upper end of Rocca Paolina and within walking distance of the aqueduct route. For something more intimate and characterful, Hotel Fortuna offers cosy rooms just off Corso Vannucci, so you can stroll out towards the Porta Sant'Angelo side of town without needing transport. If you prefer a boutique feel in historic surroundings, Hotel Priori Secret Garden provides a charming base from which both the aqueduct and the cathedral’s archaeological area are an easy walk.

Is the Perugia Aqueduct Worth Visiting

If you enjoy walking routes that tell a story, the Perugia Aqueduct is absolutely worth including in your itinerary. The elevated section is atmospheric and very local, weaving between houses and over streets in a way that makes you feel part of the city rather than above it. Add the underground tunnel and the link to the Fontana Maggiore and the Etruscan gate, and you get a vivid sense of how vital water was to Perugia's development and how ingeniously the medieval engineers worked with the hilltop terrain. For a relatively small time investment, it offers a rich blend of scenery, history and everyday life.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (1,246)

Acquedotto medievale di Perugia on Via Appia is a repurposed ancient aqueduct turned pedestrian path that threads through medieval streets, offering stone arches, quiet corners and attractive city views; visitors describe it as a short, relaxed walk ideal for romantic or contemplative strolls, a handy local shortcut, and an uneven but scenic route that's accessible for those uneasy with great heights.

The Rome Curator

2 weeks ago

"Once an ancient aqueduct, it is now a beautiful path along the medieval streets. Walking here feels like stepping through living history, with stonearches, quiet corners, and lovely views. A short but memorable way to experience the soul of Perugia...."

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Zana Nura

2 months ago

"A lovely, relaxed walk through Perugia with great views along the old aqueduct."

The Compass Guy

4 months ago

"Perugia’s medieval aqueduct - once a vital water supply, now a scenic pedestrian walkway where history and cardio collide. Built in the 13th century,this engineering marvel now serves as a charmingly uneven path with postcard-worthy views of the city. Perfect for a romantic stroll, a philosophical wander, or just testing your balance after a few too many Umbrian wines. Bonus points for the fact that locals casually use it as a shortcut, proving that in Italy, even 700-year-old infrastructure can find a second career...."

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FAQs for Visiting Perugia Aqueduct

Most visitors pick it up near the historic centre, walking the elevated section towards or from the Porta Sant’Angelo district, which gives good views and an easy link back to main streets and squares.

The elevated walkway can be enjoyed independently, but the underground tunnel from Via Appia is usually part of a guided or organised visit, and having a guide helps you understand the engineering and historical context.

Yes, as long as children are supervised; the parapet is protective, and the route is not especially long, but there are cobbles, slopes and occasional drops on one side that require attention.

Nearby Attractions to the Perugia Aqueduct

Porta Sant'Angelo: A historic city gate and district at one end of the aqueduct, with its own stretches of wall and hilltop views.
Rocca Paolina: The 16th-century fortress whose underground streets and vaults offer another striking example of Perugia's layered cityscape.
Duomo di Perugia: The city's main cathedral, standing above some of the underground routes that once carried aqueduct water towards the Fontana Maggiore.
Fontana Maggiore: The famous medieval fountain in Piazza IV Novembre that was originally supplied by the aqueduct's flow from Monte Pacciano.
Corso Vannucci: Perugia's main pedestrian street, ideal for a relaxed stroll, shopping and a drink before or after your aqueduct exploration.

The Acquedotto Medievale appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Perugia!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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