Medieval Aqueduct

Here is a concise English translation suitable for your Salerno Cultura page:

Via Arce was once bordered by city walls and formed part of a fortified area that remained in use until the early Middle Ages. Near the present-day Via Velia flowed the Faustino (Rafastia) stream which, once dried up, caused the ground level to rise. These elevations were well suited to defensive operations against enemies attempting to enter the city from that side of the walls. The fortified complex, built on the plateau known as “della Torretta”, included the present-day districts of San Benedetto, Mutilati and Fieravecchia, up to the former Piazza Malta.

Today, along this street, you can see what remains of the majestic Medieval Aqueduct, which carried water from the hills north of the city to the Monastery of San Benedetto. The aqueduct bridge-channel was built in the 10th century by Benedictine monks. Tradition tells that this aqueduct, known as the “Devil’s Bridges”, was built in a single stormy night by the Salernitan magician Barliario, aided by evil forces.

At the end of Via Arce is Piazza Portarotese. On the eastern edge of ancient Salerno, this area once housed the gate of the same name, through which passed the road connecting the city with Sanseverino Rota (hence “Rotese”). In Roman times, near Portarotese, perhaps beside the present Church of the Sacro Monte dei Morti, stood the Circus. Today, no ancient monuments remain in the area, swept away by urban development.​

In the upper part of Portarotese, beside the ancient eastern city walls, stretches the Sant’Eremita district. It takes its name from a cave carved into the hillside behind it, where Saint William once lived as a hermit after being welcomed in Salerno with great affection by Roger II, who wished to host the saint in the sumptuous Castel Terracena.

After the Roman period, many religious buildings were erected in this area, such as the Convent of Santa Maria della Consolazione, which incorporates an ancient church with a slender, small bell tower and played an important role in monastic life as the Provincial seat.