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In 398 BC, while the Romans were busy besieging the Etruscan city of Veii, a prodigious event occurred: despite the dry period, the waters of Lake Albano rose significantly.Thinking it was a divine omen, the Romans sent ambassadors to Greece to ask the Oracle of Delphi for explanations, who advised dispersing the excess water in the surrounding fields, avoiding letting it reach the sea: only in this way would they obtain divine favor and finally be able to conquer Veii. At that point, a drainage tunnel was built that drained the lake and within a couple of years the oracle's prophecy came true.This story, narrated by several ancient authors, may seem like just an old legend, but the underground canal of Lake Albano really exists and is one of the most impressive hydraulic works of the time. On average, just over a meter wide and almost a kilometer and a half long, it was even equipped with perforated stone grids that served as filters and mobile barriers to regulate the flow. The purpose was to supply water to the surrounding countryside.Unfortunately, we do not know when the tunnel was built, but it seems likely that it was of Etruscan origin, perhaps in the 6th century BC, followed by a substantial improvement in the Roman era. If this is true, the emissary of Lake Albano bears witness to the great hydraulic engineering skills of both civilizations.