Aqueduct of Valens
This is a Late Roman and Early Byzantine period aqueduct built probably around 4th century AD connecting two hills (out of seven) of ancient
Constantinople over this little valley. It's known as the Aqueduct of Valens, and today local people call it as Bozdogan Kemeri (Arch) in Turkish. Originally it was used to bring water to
Istanbul from the springs of
Belgrade forest,in
Sariyer, about 30 km north of
Istanbul.Once in the city, the water was stored in several underground cisterns, like the
Basilica Cistern.Once there was a monumental fountain in
Beyazit square and this aqueduct was bringing water to this fountain also.
During the late Byzantine period it wasn't used much and fell into ruins, than restored by the Ottomans after the Conquest of
Istanbul and served for some time to carry water again. Over the centuries, it was badly damaged because of disuse and roads and buildings constructed on and around it. Today only bits and pieces left from the original aqueducts on its way from the forest to the city center, and in Sarachane neighborhood there is a 900 meter long part of it, namely Bozdogan arch. The Municipality of
Istanbul started the restorations in 1998.
It is situated on the
European side of
Istanbul,in Unkapani,which belongs to
Fatih district.
Source: http://www.allaboutturkey.com
