Valens Aqueduct (Bozdoğan Kemeri): Istanbul's Roman aqueduct

Updated on October 4, 2026

The Valens Aqueduct, known in Turkish as Bozdoğan Kemeri, spans the valley between the third and fourth hills of the historic peninsula, in the Fatih district. It was completed under Emperor Valens and inaugurated in 373 by the city prefect Clearchus (some sources date its completion to 368). The surviving section is about 921 m long, out of an original 971 m, and reaches about 29 m in height at the lowest point of the valley. For centuries it carried water to the heart of Constantinople and then of the Ottoman city. You view it from the street, free of charge and at any time: allow 30 minutes to 1 hour to walk along it.

Highlights

Atatürk Boulevard passing beneath

Atatürk Boulevard, the main north-south artery of the peninsula, runs under the arches of the aqueduct: this is the best-known view of the structure. From the footbridge and the pavements on the Saraçhane side, you see the double row of arcades outlined against the sky, with the traffic pouring through underneath.

The two tiers of arcades

On the highest part, above the boulevard, the aqueduct carries two tiers of superimposed arches; elsewhere it has only one. The masonry alternates dressed stone and later repairs: most of the arches date from Valens, others were rebuilt by the Ottomans. An inscription dated 1696-1697 records the restoration of five arches under Mustafa II.

Ottoman and recent restorations

After 1453, Mehmed II had the network repaired, then Suleiman the Magnificent commissioned the architect Sinan to connect new water lines coming from the Belgrade Forest, which supplied the fountains of the Kırkçeşme quarter in particular. More recently, İSKİ, the water utility of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), carried out a restoration starting in December 2018 that dealt with damage and structural problems; lamps, ceramics and Ottoman-era pipes were uncovered during the work.

The arches on the Zeyrek side

Towards the west, the aqueduct loses height and straddles residential streets between Vefa, Zeyrek and Fatih. At the foot of the arches, Kadınlar Pazarı (İtfaiye Street) brings together butchers, grocers and büryan restaurants, serving the pit-roasted lamb of the Siirt and Diyarbakır regions.

Infos pratiques

Tips

The aqueduct cannot be visited inside and access to the top is forbidden: a project for a walkway and terrace on the structure has been mentioned several times, but it has not opened to the public. The area around Atatürk Boulevard carries heavy traffic: cross at the pedestrian crossings and the footbridge, never between cars. Access is free. On the Saraçhane side, the neighbouring park also holds the remains of the Byzantine church of St Polyeuctus, to see with the article Byzantine Istanbul. Information checked in October 2026.

How to get there

Bozdoğan Kemeri Caddesi and Atatürk Boulevard (Atatürk Bulvarı), Fatih, Istanbul. Metro M2 (Yenikapı-Hacıosman), Vezneciler station, about 10 minutes on foot, or Haliç station, 15-20 minutes on foot up Atatürk Boulevard. Tram T1 (Kabataş-Bağcılar), Laleli-Üniversite or Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı stops, 10-15 minutes on foot. Many buses on Atatürk Boulevard, Saraçhane and Aksaray stops. From the Grand Bazaar, allow about 15 minutes on foot westwards via Vezneciler.