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.

Evora Aqueduct Agua de Prata 10m above road

A magical mix of old and new! Roads under Evora Aqueduct

Evora Aqueduct - Agua de Prata Engineering Marvel of Portugal

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.

Agua de Prata shops

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.

Evora Wall standing strong from 16th century

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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Agua de Prata Aqueduct UNESCO site Evora Portugal

 

Visit to Eerie Chapel of Bones Evora Portugal
Unique Statue of Mother Mary in Cathedral of Evora, Portugal

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