Valens Aqueduct

The Valens Aqueduct ( Bozdogan Kemeri, "Arc of the Grey Falcon " ) is part of a large old water line in the Istanbul districts Saraçhane and Zeyrek, which supplied the city with water. He originally extended over little more than a kilometer between the two hills Fatih and Eminönü on the European side of the city. Today of them are only about 800 meters and span the Atatürk Bulvarı. The no longer existing parts were destroyed by attacks and earthquakes and over again, for the last time in 1697, restored.

The construction of the aqueduct was the Great, begun under Emperor Constantine during his ruling period 306-337 and completed 378 under Emperor Valens. Hence the name Valens Aqueduct comes. In the year 766 it was renovated by Emperor Constantine V under enormous personal effort.

The light coming from Alibeyköy drinking water was distributed over the aqueduct to all places of the city. The building has two floors and consists of one over the other set brick arches, the amount of which varies from 18.5 to 26.5 meters.