Cisternone Romano in Formia: An Ancient Roman Water Reservoir

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Official Website: www.archeoformia.it

Country: Italy

Civilization: Roman

Remains: Infrastructure

History

The Cisternone Romano is located in Formia, a city in the province of Latina, within the Lazio region of Italy. This structure was built during the Roman Republic era, specifically in the 1st century BCE. It served the urban population of Formia.

Constructed in the late Republican period, the cistern was designed to collect and store water supplied by aqueducts. This function was essential for managing the city’s water needs, supporting daily life and public services.

Remains

The Cisternone Romano is a large underground water reservoir with an irregular outer shape. Inside, the space is divided into four aisles by rows of columns, which support the structure above and organize the interior.

The cistern’s preservation allows insight into early Roman water management systems, demonstrating the city’s reliance on aqueduct-fed reservoirs for its water supply.