Pillars of the Aqueduct

Aqueduct (4th century AD) – pillars of one of the two aqueducts of Philippopolis (with a length of 25 km), which transported clear drinking water from the Rodopi Mountain are exhibited. From here the water was distributed through the ancient town along masonry, clay or lead water-mains.

Philippopolis was well provided with water by means of a couple of aqueducts and one water-distributing installation of clay pipes. Exhibited sections of one of the aqueducts can be seen today.

The size of its foundations varied between 2.16 metres and 4.55 metres in length and between 2 metres and 3.5 metres in width. It distributed water from the Bunardzhik Hill to Sahat Tepe (The Hill of the Clock Tower) and Nebet Tepe (The Hill of the Sentinel). Both the aqueducts transferred 43 000 cubic metres of water and satisfied all needs of the ancient city.