The design includes a 'bottino' (tunnel) system that runs underground before transitioning to the visible arched structure.
The masonry consists primarily of terracotta bricks, chosen for their durability and local availability during the mid-19th century.
The project was commissioned by the Duchess of Lucca, Maria Luisa of Bourbon, to solve the city's persistent sanitation issues.
The aqueduct was decommissioned as a water supply system in the mid-20th century, leading to its repurposing as a recreational trail.
The structure reaches a maximum height of approximately 12 meters in some sections to maintain the necessary hydraulic gradient.
The Acquedotto Nottolini is a neoclassical elevated water conduit constructed between 1823 and 1851 to supply Lucca with mountain spring water from Guamo. It spans approximately 3 kilometers across the plain, featuring 459 uniform brick arches. Designed by engineer Lorenzo Nottolini for Maria Luisa of Bourbon, the structure was built to replace an aging, inadequate system. The aqueduct terminates at the neoclassical Tempietto di Guamo, a circular distribution tank that serves as a landmark point. Today, the structure is preserved as a pedestrian greenway that cuts through the Lucca countryside. It remains a rare example of 19th-century hydraulic infrastructure still largely intact.
From the ground level looking up at the repeating arches near the San Concordio district.
Bring a bicycle, as the path along the aqueduct is flat and popular with local cyclists.
Start your walk at the Tempietto di Guamo to see the full scale of the conduit's path toward the city walls.
Check the local weather, as the trail is fully exposed to the sun with very little natural shade.
Do not attempt to climb the brick arches; the structure is fragile and historically protected.
Respect the rural farmland surrounding the path; stay on designated trails to avoid trespassing on private fields.
