TheAqueduct of Segovia (Spanish:Acueducto de Segovia) is aRoman aqueduct in Spain, built around the first century AD to channel water from springs in the mountains 17 kilometres (11 mi) toSegovia's fountains,public baths and private houses, in use until 1973. Its elevated section, with its complete arcade of 167 arches, is one of the best-preserved Romanaqueduct bridges and the foremost symbol of Segovia, as evidenced by its presence on the city's coat of arms. The Old Town of Segovia and the aqueduct were declared aUNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
As the aqueduct lacks a legibleinscription (one was apparently located in the structure'sattic, or top portion[citation needed]), the date of construction could not be definitively determined. The general date of the aqueduct's construction was long a mystery, although it was thought to have been during the 1st century AD, during the reigns of the EmperorsDomitian,Nerva, andTrajan. At the end of the 20th centuryGéza Alföldy deciphered the text on the dedication plaque by studying the anchors that held the now-missing bronze letters in place. He determined that EmperorDomitian (AD 81–96) ordered its construction[1] and proposed 98 AD as the most likely year of completion.[2] However, in 2016 archeological evidence was published which points to a slightly later date, after 112 AD, during the government of Trajan or in the beginning of the government of emperor Hadrian, from 117 AD.
The beginnings of Segovia are also not definitively known. TheArevaci people are known to have populated the area before it was conquered by the Romans. Roman troops sent to control the area stayed behind to settle there. The area fell within thejurisdiction of the Roman provincial court (Latinconventus iuridici, Spanishconvento jurídico) located inClunia.
The aqueduct once transported water from theRio Frio, situated in the mountains 17 km (11 mi) from the city in theLa Acebeda region. It runs 15 km (9.3 mi) before arriving in the city.
The construction of the aqueduct follows the principles laid out byVitruvius in hisDe Architectura published in the mid-first century BC.
The water was first gathered in a tank known asEl Caserón (orBig House), and was then led through a channel to a second tower known as theCasa de Aguas (orWaterhouse). There it was naturallydecanted forsand to settle out, and the water continued its route. Next the water traveled 728 m (796 yd) on a one-percentgrade until it was high upon thePostigo, a rocky outcropping on which sits the walled city center with itsAlcázar or castle.
Aerial view of the aqueduct
To reach the old city, the water is conveyed by its aqueduct bridge. AtPlaza de Díaz Sanz the structure makes an abrupt turn and heads towardPlaza Azoguejo. It is there the monument begins to display its full splendor. At its tallest, the aqueduct reaches a height of 28.5 m (93 ft 6 in), including nearly 6 m (19 ft 8 in) offoundation. There are both single and doublearches supported bypillars. From the point the aqueduct enters the city until it reaches Plaza de Díaz Sanz, it includes 75 single arches and 44 double arches (or 88 arches when counted individually), followed by four single arches, totalling 167 arches in all.
Restored portion of the aqueduct
The first section of the aqueduct contains 36 semi-circular arches, rebuilt in the 15th century to restore a portion destroyed by theMoors in 1072. The line of arches is organized in two levels, decorated simply, in which simple moulds hold the frame and provide support to the structure. On the upper level, the arches are 5.1 metres (16.1 ft) wide. Built in two levels, the top pillars are both shorter and narrower than those on the lower level. The top of the structure contains the channel through which water travels, through a U-shaped hollow measuring 0.55 tall by 0.46 metre diameter. The top of each pillar has a cross-section measuring 1.8 by 2.5 metres (5.9 by 8.2 feet), while the base cross-section measures 2.4 by 3 metres (7.9 by 9.8 feet).
The aqueduct is built ofunmortared, brick-likegraniteblocks. During the Roman era, each of the three tallest arches displayed a sign inbronze letters, indicating the name of its builder along with the date of construction. Today, twoniches are still visible, one on each side of the aqueduct. One of them is known to have held the image ofHercules, who, according to legend, was founder of the city. That niche now contains an image of the Virgin. The other one used to hold an image of Saint Stephen, now lost.
Within the walled city there was a distribution system via a deposit called acastellum aquae. While the details of this system are not fully known, it has been established that the water followed a subterranean route. The main channel has been marked on the city's pavements.[3]
The first reconstruction of the aqueduct took place during the reign of KingFerdinand andQueenIsabella, known asLos Reyes Católicos or theCatholic Monarchs. Don Pedro Mesa, theprior of the nearbyJerónimos del Parral monastery, led the project. A total of 36 arches were rebuilt, with great care taken not to change any of the original work or style. Later, in the 16th century, the central niches and above-mentioned statues were placed on the structure. On 4 December, the day ofSaint Barbara, who is the patron saint ofartillery, the cadets of the local military academy drape the image of the Virgen de la Fuencisla in a flag.
The aqueduct is the city's most important architectural landmark. It had been kept functioning throughout the centuries and preserved in excellent condition. It provided water to Segovia until the mid-19th century.[4] Because of differential decay of stone blocks, water leakage from the upper viaduct, and pollution that caused thegraniteashlarmasonry to deteriorate and crack, the site was listed in the2006 World Monuments Watch by theWorld Monuments Fund (WMF). Contrary to popular belief, vibrations caused by traffic that used to pass under the arches did not affect the aqueduct, due to its great mass.[citation needed] WMF Spain brought together the Ministry of Culture, the regional government of Castilla y León, and other local institutions to collaborate in implementing the project, and provided assistance through the global financial services companyAmerican Express.[5]
There is a connection between the mint and the aqueduct in that coins minted in Segovia used the aqueduct as amint mark. Another link is that the building provided for the mint in the 16th century harnessed water power to drive its machinery, although the water is taken directly from theRiver Eresma rather than sourced from the aqueduct.[6]
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