Nowadays, the aqueducts do not supply water to people, however they may be enjoyed, as they conduct centuries of History.


Águas Livres Aqueduct, Lisbon

Located in Lisbon, the Aqueduto das Águas Livres is one of the most famous Portuguese aqueducts. Built between 1731 and 1799, the aqueduct is 58 kilometres long and used to transport water from Caneças to Lisbon. King D. João V ordered the construction of the aqueduct, which was designed by the architect Carlos Madel. The double-tiered arches in the aqueduct are proof of how skilled the builders were at the time.


Vila do Conde Aqueduct, Vila do Conde

Located in Vila do Conde, in the Porto district, there is a unique piece of architecture, unique in the world. This aqueduct has 999 arches, being the one with the most arches in the world. It was constructed during the 18th century, under the guidance of Dom Frei António Guadalupe, Porto’s bishop at the time. Besides all the architectural magnificence, the Aqueduto de Vila do Conde provided water to the Convento de Santa Clara and the local population.


São Sebastião Aqueduct, Coimbra

The Aqueduto São Sebastião is located in Coimbra, next to one of the most remarkable places in the city. Next to the University of Coimbra, Botanical Garden and even Praça da República, places that amuse every person that wants to visit Coimbra. The aqueduct was constructed in the 17th century and is also known as “Arcos do Jardim”. Before being known as Aqueduto São Sebastião, this aqueduct used an old Roman infrastructure that served as an aqueduct as well.


Pegões Aqueduct, Tomar

The Aqueduto dos Pegões is located in Tomar, in Central Portugal. It was constructed during the 16th century, under the rein of D. Filipe I de Portugal, thus said, the first Spanish king reining in Portugal, D. Filipe II de Espanha. The aqueduct supplied water to Convento de Cristo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the six kilometres of impressive arches and pillars, it is seen the splendour of the works carried out at a time when technology was something people could never dream about.


Portugal is full of great buildings, highlighting the beauty of the country. Probably everyone crossed an aqueduct but did not notice it or did not understand how important they were to the people at the time. Aqueducts may not be used today, but they carry History and some of them are the place of creepy events known by the population.

Author

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos