Römersteine

Gazing upon these fragmented pillars, who could imagine the scale of Roman ambition they represent? Right here, before us, stand the Römersteine, the remnants of a Roman aqueduct, a silent testament to engineering prowess. The Römersteine, meaning “Roman stones,” whisper tales of a time when Mainz, known then as Mogontiacum, thrived under Roman rule. Around 70 AD, as the Roman Empire reshaped the world, this aqueduct was constructed. Its purpose? To quench the thirst of the Roman legions stationed here and the burgeoning civilian settlement. The aqueduct channeled fresh spring water from Finthen, a source known as “ad fontes,” over a distance of nine kilometers. Imagine a constant flow of life-giving water, 30,000 liters daily, coursing through this impressive structure. The Römersteine originally formed part of an elevated section of the aqueduct, necessary to overcome the sloping terrain of the Zahlbach valley. Here, the pillars reached their most impressive height, soaring up to 30 meters. This made the Mainz aqueduct the tallest north of the Alps, a remarkable feat of Roman engineering. Pliny the Elder, a Roman author and naturalist, perfectly captured the Roman pride in such constructions. He marveled at the ingenuity of bringing water into cities, highlighting the aqueducts and the reshaping of mountains and valleys required for their construction. The Römersteine we see today are merely the skeletal remains of the original pillars. Over time, the outer stone cladding was scavenged, repurposed for other buildings, leaving these seven-meter-high cores. Stand here, amidst the Römersteine, and let your imagination rebuild the towering structure. Picture the water flowing in the channel at the top, hear the echoes of Roman voices, and sense the bustling activity of this vital lifeline. The Römersteine stand as a reminder of Roman ingenuity and the enduring legacy they left on Mainz.