Rieti Sotterranea

Beneath Via Roma in Rieti, sections of a Roman viaduct survive among the cellars and lower levels of later buildings. The structure carried the Via Salaria across ground prone to flooding by the Velino River, and its arches remain embedded in the historic centre.

Why it matters

The viaduct shows how Roman engineering shaped the urban fabric of Reate. Raised stone arches protected the route from water and became part of later buildings as the city grew above and around them. Workshops and storage spaces subsequently occupied some of the underground chambers.

What to notice

The surviving arches are built from squared travertine blocks. The large span preserved beneath Palazzo Napoleoni illustrates the scale of the Roman construction; nearby medieval rooms and cellars record later uses of the same urban spaces. The juxtaposition of the ancient masonry with later additions reveals how the city's streetscape accumulated over time.

Context and history

The viaduct is dated to the third century BCE and formed part of the Via Salaria's crossing through Rieti. The road connected Rome with the Adriatic side of central Italy. As the original route ceased to serve its Roman purpose, the viaduct's arches were incorporated into palaces, workshops and stores. Since 1995, the underground structures have been presented as part of Rieti's cultural heritage.