Aniene

The Aniene is a river in central Italy, in the Lazio region. It is a left tributary of the Tiber and runs for about 100 kilometers from its sources in the central Apennines to its confluence with the Tiber near Rome. The river's valley, the Valle Aniene, forms a natural corridor between the Monti Sabini to the north and the Roman area to the south.

Headwaters and course: The Aniene rises from springs in the central Apennines of Lazio and flows generally southwest through Subiaco and Tivoli before joining the Tiber.

Name and historical significance: In antiquity the river was known as Anio. It gave its name to two ancient Roman aqueducts, Aqua Anio Vetus and Aqua Anio Novus, which supplied water to Rome. The Tivoli area along its banks is notable for Roman-era villas such as Hadrian's Villa.

Modern use and environment: Along its course, the Aniene has been dammed to form reservoirs that support hydroelectric power generation and municipal water supply for Rome and surrounding communities. Human activity has led to ecological pressures, and conservation efforts focus on water quality, habitat protection, and managing sedimentation in some stretches.