Medici Aqueduct

The Medici Aqueduct of Pitigliano brought running water to the village.

Built between 1636 and 1639, it was commissioned by the Medici family and was the first aqueduct built in the Maremma.

During the 18h century the Lorraines restored the aqueduct, adding a series of small arches.

The Acquedotto Mediceo is located in the south-eastern part of Pitigliano and has two large arches followed by 13 smaller arches. The structure of the aqueduct was incorporated into the walls of Pitigliano and made entirely from locally sourced tufa rock. You can see it from the road as you arrive in Pitigliano and it is one of the town’s most iconic monuments.

Acquedotto Mediceo

Piazza Fortezza Orsini, 25, 58017 Pitigliano GR

The Medici in Pitigliano

The Medici of Florence came to power in the County of Pitigliano following a people’s revolt in 1562, which saw Count Niccolò IV Orsini exiled. They cemented their power in 1604.

Once they secured ownership, the Medici family claimed and obtained imperial protection over Pitigliano in 1608, thus protecting themselves from the expansionist ambitions of Philip III of Spain and the Papal State. Nevertheless, the Pontifical State always represented a threat to the County of Pitigliano and in 1643 it came with troops, but they were defeated in battle near the Casone.

Despite having supported their rise to power, the population never achieved the social and economic improvement the Medici had promised. The remoteness of the county from Florence and the feudal system led to a profound economic decline for Pitigliano, much of the population was reduced to poverty and forced to emigrate.

On the other hand, from the point of view of public works, the Medici can be credited with creating the imposing Medici Aqueduct, which brought water to the city of Pitigliano. The works were completed in 1639.