The Toudja Aqueduct is a Roman hydraulic structure built to supply water to the ancient city of Saldae (present-day Béjaïa) in Algeria. This aqueduct, 16.5 km long, drew water from the Toudja spring on the slopes of the Tadart Aghbalou massif, west of Saldae.
History
Construction
The construction of the aqueduct is linked to the founding of the Colonia Julia Augusta Saldensium Septimana Immunis by the Roman Emperor Octavian in 27-26 B.C. This colony was intended for the veterans of the Legio VII Augusta.
A famous inscription discovered in Lambaesis provides information about the difficulties encountered during the excavation of the canal for the aqueduct’s passage. According to recent interpretations, the first intervention may have taken place around 137 A.D. and was likely limited to a feasibility study. The construction work is believed to have lasted between 4 to 6 years.
Contrary to traditional theories that attributed the entire construction to military labor, it seems that the army’s role was limited to providing a high-level technician, the surveyor Nonius Datus.
Technical Description
The route of the aqueduct begins at the Ainseur spring (now known as the Toudja spring). It skirts the small Breroudj massif to reach the Tihnaine pass, where a remarkable aqueduct bridge is located. From there, it almost continuously follows the path of the current “ridge road,” which appears to have taken over the route of the ancient Roman road.
The aqueduct passes through several notable points:
- Ifran
- Ighil Lahbel, where a famous tunnel is located
- El-Djenan
- Sidi Meftah
- Imoula
- Adrar Oufarnou
- Fort Clausel
- Sidi Mhamed Amokran
It finally ends at the large cisterns of the Upper Camp of Saldae.
The canal (specus) presents several shapes in cross-section: square, circular, and ovoid. The construction techniques and materials vary slightly, likely due to reuse and repairs by the Hammadites and their successors.
The aqueduct’s route follows the contours of the land as much as possible while maintaining a more or less constant slope to avoid high pressure on the canal’s structure.
Remains
Several elements of the aqueduct are still visible today, including:
- The Tibnaine aqueduct bridge, where the pillars and springing stones of the arches can still be observed.
- The Ighil Lahbel tunnel, which bears an inscription dated 1895.
- Sections of the canal at various points along the route.
The Toudja Aqueduct is a Roman hydraulic structure built to supply water to the ancient city of Saldae (present-day Béjaïa) in Algeria. This aqueduct, 16.5 km long, drew water from the Toudja spring on the slopes of the Tadart Aghbalou massif, west of Saldae.
History
Construction
The construction of the aqueduct is linked to the founding of the Colonia Julia Augusta Saldensium Septimana Immunis by the Roman Emperor Octavian in 27-26 B.C. This colony was intended for the veterans of the Legio VII Augusta.
A famous inscription discovered in Lambaesis provides information about the difficulties encountered during the excavation of the canal for the aqueduct’s passage. According to recent interpretations, the first intervention may have taken place around 137 A.D. and was likely limited to a feasibility study. The construction work is believed to have lasted between 4 to 6 years.
Contrary to traditional theories that attributed the entire construction to military labor, it seems that the army’s role was limited to providing a high-level technician, the surveyor Nonius Datus.
Technical Description
The route of the aqueduct begins at the Ainseur spring (now known as the Toudja spring). It skirts the small Breroudj massif to reach the Tihnaine pass, where a remarkable aqueduct bridge is located. From there, it almost continuously follows the path of the current “ridge road,” which appears to have taken over the route of the ancient Roman road.
The aqueduct passes through several notable points:
- Ifran
- Ighil Lahbel, where a famous tunnel is located
- El-Djenan
- Sidi Meftah
- Imoula
- Adrar Oufarnou
- Fort Clausel
- Sidi Mhamed Amokran
It finally ends at the large cisterns of the Upper Camp of Saldae.
The canal (specus) presents several shapes in cross-section: square, circular, and ovoid. The construction techniques and materials vary slightly, likely due to reuse and repairs by the Hammadites and their successors.
The aqueduct’s route follows the contours of the land as much as possible while maintaining a more or less constant slope to avoid high pressure on the canal’s structure.
Remains
Several elements of the aqueduct are still visible today, including:
- The Tibnaine aqueduct bridge, where the pillars and springing stones of the arches can still be observed.
- The Ighil Lahbel tunnel, which bears an inscription dated 1895.
- Sections of the canal at various points along the route.
