Database: Valens Aqueduct

Likely the most successful architectural project in the history of Constantinople, the Valens Aqueduct served the city with fresh water almost continuously for nearly 1600 years.

Built in 375 by the Emperor Valens, it was used and repaired by Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman dynasties until well after Sultan Mustafa's final major restoration in 1679.

The aqueduct continued to bring small amounts of fresh water into the city until the late 19th century, when it was ultimately - and perhaps mercifully - replaced by a more modern water delivery system: pipes. Today the Aqueduct is about 600 meters in length - about half its original size.