Metz Aqueduct Underground Part: Roman Water Supply Infrastructure near Novéant-sur-Moselle
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Country: France
Civilization: Roman
Remains: Infrastructure
History
The Metz Aqueduct Underground Part is located near Novéant-sur-Moselle in modern-day France and was constructed by the Romans. This aqueduct formed a crucial component of the water supply system serving the area around the city of Metz during Roman times.
The aqueduct was built in two main underground sections. The first section extended approximately 12.7 kilometers, running from Gorze to a water basin known as Ars. The second section stretched about 8.5 kilometers from the basin of Jouy to the castellum divisorium, a distribution basin likely situated near what is now the Hôpital Bon Secours. The castellum divisorium functioned as a central point where water was divided and directed to various parts of the urban settlement.
Remains
The surviving underground sections of the Metz Aqueduct reveal a carefully engineered water channel extending over 22 kilometers in total length. The aqueduct’s walls consist of small, regularly cut stones arranged in neat horizontal layers. This method provided both strength and precision to the structure.
The channel itself measures about 1.6 meters in height and 1.2 meters in width, dimensions that allowed maintenance workers to enter and perform necessary cleaning or repairs. The interior surfaces were coated with a thick layer of waterproof mortar made from lime mixed with crushed bricks. This lining, approximately 6 centimeters thick on the sides and 8 centimeters on the bottom, ensured the channel remained watertight and protected the masonry from water damage.
Along the aqueduct, square access openings measuring roughly 1.2 meters on each side are spaced at intervals. These openings provided entry points for maintenance and inspection, demonstrating the practical design considerations of Roman engineers. The underground sections are visible near the road D12 between Novéant-sur-Moselle and Gorze, where the aqueduct runs parallel or adjacent to modern routes, preserving the original path of the water channel.
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