In the paper, we consider canonical almost geodesic mappings of type π 2 ( e ) . We have found the conditions that must be satisfied for the mappings to preserve the Riemann tensor. Furthermore, we consider canonical almost geodesic mappings of type π 2 ( e ) of spaces with affine connections onto symmetric spaces. The main equations for the mappings are obtained as a closed mixed system of Cauchy-type Partial Differential Equations. We have found the maximum number of essential parameters which the solution of the system depends on.