AQUEDUC ROMAIN

About ten kilometres south of Metz, 17 arches of the great aqueduct are still visible. It crossed the Moselle to supply water to the capital of the Mediomatriques from Gorze. This monument of 110 piers, the highest of which were 25 metres high and 1128 metres long, linking the two banks of the Moselle, was only the aerial part of the 22-kilometre-long route of the pipeline, bringing water from Gorze to the thermal baths, fountains and naumachies of Metz. It probably dates from the beginning of the 2nd century. The best preserved part remains in Jouy. It is a section of 17 piers linked together by 16 arches. The water pipe passed at the top of the aqueduct. It followed a slope which, in some places, does not exceed one millimetre per metre. The receiving basins fulfilled three functions: change of direction of the pipe; settling and purification basin; place of worship. A great originality of the aqueduct bridge lies in the existence of a double conduit, facilitating maintenance work. The whole is a careful work of small apparatus, carefully cut limestone rubble and assembled with a lime mortar. The bricks are made of local clay. During the restorations of the 19th century, a few red brick pillars were erected, easily spotted. By taking a few steps towards the coast, along the arches, one reaches a reception basin cleared in 1860, which connected the aerial part to the underground part. Circular in shape, it received water through a double channel. Visits are possible with guides from the Metz Tourist Office.

DATAtourisme France