Valens Aqueduct, Istanbul

The Valens Aqueduct is called Bozdoğan Kemeri, in the Turkish language, which means "Aqueduct of the grey falcon". This is a Roman aqueduct which provided most of the water of the capital of the Eastern Roman empire, Constantinople, and now Istanbul. The aqueduct was completed by Roman Emperor Valens in the fourth century AD and it was restored several times by Ottoman Sultans.

The aqueduct is located in the district of Fatih, and is present between the hills that are occupied by the Fatih Mosque and the Istanbul University. The Atatürk Bulvarı Boulevard passes beneath its arches. The Roman Emperor Hadrian had constructed the aqueduct for the city of Istanbul, which was called Byzantium in those days, and it was originally much smaller in size. The city was rebuilt under Emperor Constantine I, and it was greatly expanded to meet the growing city’s needs.

The length of the Aqueduct of Valens is approximately 971 meters and it reaches a height if 29 meters. The masonry used is a combination of bricks and ashlar blocks. The water from the aqueduct comes from 2 lines, which are the North West line and the North East line, the water is then diverted to a distribution plant near the Hagia Sofia. The Imperial Palace is supplied by the aqueduct.