Cisternoni di Albano

The Cisternoni of Albano Laziale is a vast Roman reservoir built to supply water to the camp of the Second Parthica Legion and nearby dwellings. Its five long naves, barrel vaults and rows of pillars form one of the most striking examples of ancient hydraulic engineering in the Castelli Romani.

Why it matters

The cistern belongs to the Severan complex associated with the legionary camp at Albano, established around 202 CE. Fed by conduits from springs on the slopes around Lake Albano, it could hold about 10,000 cubic metres of water. The municipality describes the structure as still functioning, an unusual continuity for a Roman reservoir.

What to notice

Inside, five naves run beneath barrel vaults carried on thirty-six pillars. The walls are faced with opus signinum, a waterproof plaster of crushed terracotta and lime. Inspection and aeration wells pierce the vaults, while the low-light interior reflects the practical requirements of a water reservoir. The plan is an elongated rectangle partly cut into rock and partly built in masonry.

Context and history

The Cisternoni formed part of the infrastructure of the Second Parthica Legion's camp and the settlement that grew around it. After the army's departure, the reservoir continued to serve the area. It was used for drinking water from 1884 to 1912 and later supplied irrigation for gardens and parks. The structure remains a defining monument of Albano's Roman past.