THE ROMAN AQUEDUCT (ROMAN ARCHES) and the complex of the ANCIENT BATHS

You are now admiring the Roman Arches, the best-preserved work among all the monuments of this type still existing in the Piedmont region and one of the most significant examples of a Roman aqueduct in northern Italy.

The construction of the Roman aqueduct can be traced back to the early imperial period, perhaps even to the Augustan era (early 1st century AD).

As you will notice, there are currently two large sections of the original structure, composed respectively of seven and eight masonry pillars, with a square base.

The aqueduct's route extended for a total length of about 12 km, from the water collection basin located in Lagoscuro (in the municipality of Cartosio), through the Erro Valley, the Marchiolli region, and to the left bank of the Bormida. While in the first stretch the route was almost entirely underground and consisted of a vaulted and waterproofed conduit in opus signinum, in the terminal part, starting from the Marchiolli region, i.e., at the current location of the Sassello National Road - where there may have also been a water settling basin (piscina limaria) - precisely because of the need to cross the Bormida River bed, the grand elevated construction was built, whose remains are still preserved today.

This elevated structure was to consist of at least forty pillars, through which the aqueduct made its entrance into the city.

Although there is a lack of certain archaeological data regarding the aqueduct's route in the urban section, it is known that the water, arriving in the city, was collected in a large cistern at a high point, unidentified, from which lead pipes distributed it to feed public and private fountains and reservoirs.

The sunset view of the Roman Arches or illuminated by fireworks that take place in their honor during the patronal feast of San Guido on the second Monday of July is of extraordinary impact.

If you cross the imposing Carlo Alberto bridge, inaugurated in 1849, you enter the Bagni area. Along Viale Donati, you will see the complex of the Ancient Baths, its park, and the hill behind it. This thermal nucleus, already documented in the early 15th century, owes its current structure to the rebuilding, in 1687, by the architect Giovanni Battista Scapitta, following a landslide that destroyed the building. Unfortunately, it is now out of use.

A curiosity: you should know that in the Bagni area, in the early years of the 20th century, there was the Municipal Casino "Kursaal" Teatro which, for a time, was one of the few casinos in Italy.                                                              Link: https://www.acquimusei.it