Acquedotto del Nottolini
Acquedotto del Nottolini
4.5
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4.5
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1Yvonne1
Auckland Central, New Zealand32 contributions
Apr 2019
Duchess Maria Luisa of Bourbon commissioned the project to build the aqueduct in 1823; it was designed by architect Lorenzo Nottolini. The structure begins just behind the train station, at the Cistern of San Concordio, once used to carry water from the mountains into the city and contained 400 arches made from stone stretching for 3.5kms. Today the aqueduct stands in its entirety. I followed the dirt path beside the aqueduct completely captivated by the peaceful surroundings. The full length from the Temple cistern to its end at the Parco dell’Acquedotto takes about 20mins. Words cannot express how truly magnificent this feat of engineering is, just stunning. The path is also a popular cycling track. After every 17 arch there was a decorative buttress constructed to take care of the strength of the structure. However, during the 20th century, 6 arches were removed, and water supply was interrupted for the passage of A11 Motorway that connects Lucca and Capannori. The footbridge over the autostrada felt a bit dodgy, the low railings allowing gusts of wind as large lorries rolled underneath. I was very pleased to reach the other side in one piece. From the overpass I followed the aqueduct a further 2kms where Nottolini’s spectacular arches ended near the town of Guamo. The cistern at Guamo Whence was the first tank that supplied water to the city. It is also where we see the first arch of the aqueduct. The water of the aqueduct was drawn from several springs on the northern slope of Mount of Vorno, then passed through a number of layers of gravel and stone, purifying it before arriving to the temple-cistern of Guamo. From there the water was channelled inside the conduit that you can still admire today. From this point on, the arches are interrupted and the underground conduits begin. The presence of the aqueduct is still easily identifiable thanks to the numerous brick filtering wells (the ancestors of modern manholes) and other cisterns. Following the direction of the underground aqueduct, I reached an enchanting spot, the place where the waters coming from the Serra Vespaiata pass under a small bridge. The architectural innovation of Nottolini is evident in construction of the manufactured waterways that cut gentle curves through the hills between San Quirico and Vorno. From here the waterways give way to forest, then to olive groves and ancient stone houses. Follow the path up through the forest for another 2.3km to the road. From here turn right, 100m down the road is the panoramic point of Gallonzora where you can enjoy views of the Lucca plain to the Apuan Alps. Winding my way down the road the sun is shining, olive trees are bearing fruit, poppies are in bloom. On the way to Lucca you will pass through the villages of Vorno and Guamo. There are a couple of nice churches to check out and one or two cafes worth stopping at.
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian S
Gateshead, UK93 contributions
June 2022
It was easy to find the start of the walk but a little disappointing to find the tower covered in scaffolding. The track is well worn right up to the basins it then becomes a bit obscure so we didn't complete the circular path we knew wound through the woods somehow.
There are a few drinking water points along the route and excellent views back across to Lucca from the other end. Casa Rosa trattoria is about halfway along but unfortunately it was closing time by the time we went for a visit on our return leg.
Well worth spending a few hours either walking or cycling, away from the hustle and bustle of Lucca, but factor up on the sunscreen and don't forget a water bottle which can be refilled.
There are a few drinking water points along the route and excellent views back across to Lucca from the other end. Casa Rosa trattoria is about halfway along but unfortunately it was closing time by the time we went for a visit on our return leg.
Well worth spending a few hours either walking or cycling, away from the hustle and bustle of Lucca, but factor up on the sunscreen and don't forget a water bottle which can be refilled.
Written 30 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zobator
Hasselt, Limburg Province64 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Great morning activity. Right behind the train station you can start this easy to follow path right next to the aqueduct. The path runs on the West side of the aqueduct, so do this in the morning. This way, you'll walk in the shade of the monumental structure. It might get a bit hot once the Sun hits the pathway at around noon. It's surprising how fast you leave behind the busy streets of Lucca and hear nothing more than ciccades and birds (once you've crossed the highway that is). Great activity if you want to mix it up a bit.
Written 3 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giorgia M
Pisa, Italy352 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
A beautiful and very well looked after place. A place of peace where you can go to get away from the chaos of the city for a bit. A nice walk, not difficult but it's better to have comfortable shoes since the ground is not flat but disconnected.
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim H
Perth, Australia83 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
There is an underpass at the Lucca train station, with a ramp, so it is ok to take your bike.
Go through the underpass (heading South, away from the walled town) and turn left into Via Nottolini. After 50 metres, turn right into Via Tempietto. The large, stone , dome like construction is the beginning of the aqueduct. You can walk or cycle the dirt path underneath it for about 3.5ks (be aware, if you cycle, you will need to carry your bike over the footbridge which crosses the motorway).
When you reach the foot of the hills (3,5ks or so) you can follow the aqueduct a further 1 or 2 ks easy climb up into the hills to it's source. We cycled at first, then walked to the source, which is a series of old brickwork constructions, small bridges etc used to originally gather the water. Beautiful scenery. Great views. A really enjoyable morning.
Go through the underpass (heading South, away from the walled town) and turn left into Via Nottolini. After 50 metres, turn right into Via Tempietto. The large, stone , dome like construction is the beginning of the aqueduct. You can walk or cycle the dirt path underneath it for about 3.5ks (be aware, if you cycle, you will need to carry your bike over the footbridge which crosses the motorway).
When you reach the foot of the hills (3,5ks or so) you can follow the aqueduct a further 1 or 2 ks easy climb up into the hills to it's source. We cycled at first, then walked to the source, which is a series of old brickwork constructions, small bridges etc used to originally gather the water. Beautiful scenery. Great views. A really enjoyable morning.
Written 19 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C16VEH
Leek, UK497 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
I came across the aquaduct while planning my trip to Lucca. IThe article I read did explain that it wasnt easy to find unless you know where to look. It's worth doing satellite view of the aquaduct to see where it goes.
After going through the station underpass turning left onto Via Nottolini and then right up Via Tempietto you finally find it. Even then the first tower hides the view of the aquaduct until you start to round it.
I walked the full length stopping to refill my water bottle at the taps along the way. As you near the hills and go past the end tower you need to look out for the path at times. Keep your bearing in your head and you will find the source.
It's well worth walking to the far end and exploring the old waterways in the nearby hills that feed the aquaduct. A modern plant has replaced the old system but it doesn't detract from the beauty.
After going through the station underpass turning left onto Via Nottolini and then right up Via Tempietto you finally find it. Even then the first tower hides the view of the aquaduct until you start to round it.
I walked the full length stopping to refill my water bottle at the taps along the way. As you near the hills and go past the end tower you need to look out for the path at times. Keep your bearing in your head and you will find the source.
It's well worth walking to the far end and exploring the old waterways in the nearby hills that feed the aquaduct. A modern plant has replaced the old system but it doesn't detract from the beauty.
Written 23 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Urssie
Arnhem, The Netherlands234 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Its not on most tourist maps you find in Lucca itself, but it sure is a great thing to look at. From the rail-station, leave at the back, go left and then first right and you can see the beginning (or the end depending in where you start) of the aqua-duct, that's been build by the Romans. Think about that when you look up to the huge structure. Some restoration work is started, but we saw no one at the site. A path runs right next to the aqua-duct. We walked all the way up to the woods and beyond. It goes on forever. Every now and then you can fill up your water bottle as do the locals who seem to get their water here in stead of the tap in their home. We have seen several townsfolk filling up water bottles and jerrycans to take home in car or on their bikes. This aqua duct really is not to be missed. Such a shame they demolished a few meters to put the motorway there. But you can take the passenger bridge to take you to the other side. And then it goes on for kilometers. They should take more care of old structures like this. It is such a marvel of how things where done in the past. You can see a much longer aqua duct on the way to Pisa, but it is in a much worse state than this gem.
There is one restaurant along the way, but notice it is not always open. The path is not really suitable for wheelchair, because you have to cross two bridges (the one across the motorway and one over a small river).
There is one restaurant along the way, but notice it is not always open. The path is not really suitable for wheelchair, because you have to cross two bridges (the one across the motorway and one over a small river).
Written 16 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicky H
Rathlin Island, UK27 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
The aguaduct starts behind the station, you can go through the station and do a left and there it is WOW. How it's still intact I don't know.There's a little path that runs alongside and very soon you are out of lovely Lucca into fields and silence. When the aguaduct has finished, thats not the end of it. From here on it's on foot up the wooded hills following amazing Mayan type buildings that go on and on.What an engineering feet.. It must be quite something when the rains fill the channels and rush down the race. Met a lovely American couple and shared a picnic. They wanted to take us to the only restaurant,highly recommended, for a drink but it was closed could have been Monday,can't remember.
Written 21 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dilemo
Osprey, FL162 contributions
July 2012 • Solo
Firstly, it isn't Notolini - it's Nottolini. This is an acqueduct built in the 19th century by the eponymous architect to provide drinking water to the city of Lucca from springs which rise in the hills of Guamo a little to the south of the city. It isn't exactly a tourist attraction but it is an impressive piece of architecture looking for all the world like a 2000-year-old Roman acqueduct. Unfortunately, modernity caused part of it to be demolished to make way for a road and I still haven't worked out how the water still manages to flow to the various fountains dotted around the inside of the old city from which anyone can drink at any time - they flow unceasingly. But beware! I got sworn at many years ago by an old lady who saw me filling a plastic bottle from one of them - this was a sacrilege since such good water merited a clean glass vessel which would not contaminate the taste.
Written 14 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MJHS
Toronto, Canada77 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
The acquedotto del Nottolini is an engineering marvel,the water now flows underground. It is a lovely ,easy walk into the countryside south of Lucca.
Great outing...
Great outing...
Written 9 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
la visita è libera , o c'è un orario e un biglietto d'ingresso?
Written 30 May 2020
La passeggiata è libera. Si può fare a qualsiasi ora.
Written 26 August 2020
Avendo a disposizione non molto tempo e potendo e fare solo una parte da dove mi consigliate d'iniziare il percorso a piedi per vedere la parte più rappresentativa?
Written 17 February 2019
In realtà non vi è una parte più rappresentativa, ma se hai poco tempo ti consiglio di partire dalla zona della "casina della rose" (con maps ci arrivi tranquillamente), dove potrai lasciare l'auto e continuare a piedi, percorrendo la seconda parte dell'acquedotto fino ad arrivare alle "Parole d'Oro".
Written 3 March 2019
jenniferjennyng
Sacramento, California
Can we bike to the aqueduct? From some of the pictures others have posted, it looks like some parts are narrow/have stairs. It would be nice to cover the distance in less time!
Written 14 August 2017
Yes. Ride through the streets of Lucca until you reach the aqueduct, then take the path running along it. There is one large road to cross - which has a bridge. You may need to carry bikes over the bridge. When you reach the hills, it may be difficult to continue unless you have a mountain bike.
Written 22 August 2017
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