Roman Eifel Aqueduct

The Eifel Aqueduct, also known as the Roman Canal, was built in the 1st century AD to supply the growing Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, modern-day Cologne, with high-quality drinking water. The aqueduct bridge near Vussem was a crucial part of this pipeline, spanning a nameless side valley of the Veybach. In the late 1950s, during construction work for a sports field, two Roman pier foundations were accidentally destroyed. This led to extensive archaeological excavations in 1959 under the direction of Waldemar Haberey. The investigations showed that the bridge was about 80 meters long and up to 10 meters high, with probably 13 arches supporting a channel for the water. Ten of presumably twelve cantilevered bridge piers, resting on deep foundations of mortared greywacke, could be identified. The pipeline was in operation until about 260 AD, when it was not recommissioned after the destruction of Cologne by the Germanic tribes.

The Roman Eifel Aqueduct is located in Vussem, a district of Mechernich, in the Euskirchen district, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 305 meters above sea level.

Today, visitors can explore the Roman Eifel Aqueduct. A partial reconstruction of the aqueduct bridge in Vussem allows for an impression of the former grandeur and construction method of this ancient structure.

• Heistard Castle (Castle), approx. 2.4 km away
• Roman Eifel Aqueduct (Ancient Buildings), approx. 2.7 km away
• Roman Eifel Aqueduct (Ancient Buildings), approx. 3.1 km away
• Haus Burgfey (Mansion and Manor House), approx. 3.5 km away