Tunnel Entrance 2

View looking west at the entrance to a short underground portion of the “Vespasian/Titus Tunnel.” Along the wall on the right (south) side of the tunnel a small carved water channel is visible.

This channel and tunnel were begun during the reign of the Emperor Vespasian (A.D. 69–79) and work continued during the reign of his son Titus (79–81).  The whole rock cut structure is over 0.9 mi. [1.3 km. long!  Portions of it are an open–to–the–air channel, while other portions of it are rock cut tunnels!

The purpose of the structure was to divert runoff water away from the harbor of Seleucia—to help prevent this important harbor from silting up.

For a map and a brief description of Seleucia Pieria Click Here.