Evora Aqueduct Agua de Prata Engineering Marvel of Portugal
The Evora Aqueduct is another mind blowing top attraction of this historical town of Portugal. The amazing structure spans a length of 9kms was built between the years 1531 to 1537. It has an impressive height and doesn’t look 5 centuries old! The massive structure still looks strong. We spotted it while exiting the city towards Lisbon. At a height of 10m above road and modern vehicles plying under it; the scene looked a magical mix of old and new!
(Aqueduct (bridge), a bridge that is constructed to convey water over an obstacle, such as a ravine or valley).
Agua de Prata Aqueduct –Aqueduct of Evora
Within the city limits the ground level rises. At some point the arches of aqueduct of Evora are occupied and converted into homes and shops. It merges in to a house and beyond that it doesn’t exist anymore. A walk along the aqueduct will bring you to houses and little business establishments integrated into the arches. They are built right under the arches.
Evora Aqueduct, Roads going under the arches of Aqueduct.
A magical mix of old and new! Roads under Evora Aqueduct
Evora Aqueduct Agua de Prata Engineering Marvel of Portugal
You can visit Evora aqueduct from inside the city walls too. That will enable you to get better picture of how the wall is used by residents. I sighted a small portion of the walls of aqueduct within the city, but it was difficult to make out that it belonged to the famous Agua de Prata Aqueduct Evora.
Évora is ranked number two in the Portugal’s most livable cities according to survey of living conditions published yearly by Expresso, a Portuguese newspaper. It is also worth a drive up to its source up in the hills. There is a cistern full of water still functioning.
History of the Evora Aqueduct
King John III of Portugal built this amazing aqueduct to ensure that the citadel of Elvora would not run out of clean drinking water during the hot, dry summers. He appointed Francisco de Arruda, the same architect who built Belem Tower in Lisbon. It took six years to construct, finally opening in 1537.
It has the name Agua de Prata Aqueduct, meaning Aqueduct of Silver Water. This Evora Aqueduct Agua de Prata is an Engineering Marvel of Portugal! A proof of incredible Engineering skills that existed then in 16th century.
When built it measured 18km in length and the tallest arch measured 26m in height. The aqueduct linked Evora city center to Graca do Divor water source via a series of tunnels and arches. Originally the aqueduct connected to the fountain in Praca do Giraldo, in Evora city’s main square. But due to wars and disuse this connection is no longer evident.
Wall along the borders of Evora old town.
Other Sights near Aqua de Prata Evora
The Roman Temple, Giraldo Square, the main square of Evora, Chapel of Bones, Cathedral of Evora with statue of pregnant Mary.
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An aqueduct with an olden-days touch.
So charming!
The aqueduct is amazing! Kind of cool to see the stores under it.
Those houses under the arches !!!!!The aqueduct looks fascinating.
🙂
Thank you!
Seems so interesting. Thanks
Wonderful shots of the aqueduct!
Many thanks Ladyfi!
That is awesome – the sense of history and amazing longevity of these ancient constructs.
True! Amazes me too!
Thank you Al!
The houses underneath the aqueduct are so cute. Pretty clever.
Worth a Thousand Words
I love the ancient walls. Great pictures 🙂
Thank you Purba. I too love such old structures. 🙂
Really expert stone in past times!
I meant to say….stone workers!
True! Hard to find them today!
gorgeous countryside!
Yes indeed!
Amazing construction and interesting to see how people utilised the space between the aches of the aqueduct. The only aqueduct I have seen was the Thotti Paalam in Kanyakumai.
Great shots
Another good to know post.
Keep it raining
Lovely captures!!!
Agree with TexWisGirl. Love the fly-by countryside photo…
road through aqueduct…. at least they are preserving their heritage by working around it.
Love the Wall and aquaduct
Great pictures… it must be quite a nice drive! 🙂
It looks amazing!
Love those little houses under arches.
That beautiful aqueduct is so beautiful and looks very historic! Greetings from the Philippine Islands!
Steven 🙂
Wanted to see more pictures!!!!
Hi Bhavani, I have added a couple of pics more. 🙂
Must be a nice drive by the fields
Yes Somali, a pleasnat drive there.
Thank you.
Cool images!
Thank you MP UPPAL!
Beautiful photos
Thank you Rupam!
Love the Aquaduct and great captures for the day, as always!! Hope you have a lovely weekend, Indrani!! Enjoy!!
Many thanks Sylvia for the visit and comment! 🙂
That’s great.
🙂 Thank you Jim!
The Aquaduct is super cool. Nice drive-by with the cows/fence.
Thank you Ida!
How exciting! It is gorgeous, and BIG!
Thank you for the visit and comment. 🙂
the aquaduct is neat! love the fly-by countryside, too!
Glad you liked the pic.
Thank you!