ÁGUAS LIVRES AQUEDUCT

Description

Essentials about the Águas Livres Aqueduct in brief

The Águas Livres Aqueduct is one of the most monumental structures of Lisbon and all of Portugal. The aqueduct is not just a single aqueduct, but an entire water supply system that stretches 19 kilometers from Queluz to Lisbon’s Campolide district. By far the most striking and famous part of the Águas Livres Aqueduct, however, are the 21 huge round and 14 pointed arches that span the Alcântara Valley. The highest arch has a height of 65 meters, and the pillars are spaced 29 meters apart.

The history of the Águas Livres Aqueduct

The Águas Livres Aqueduct is one of the great engineering achievements of the 18th century and one of the largest structures of its kind in the world. The construction was commissioned by King John V and built under the direction of the city plenipotentiary Cláudio Gorgel do Amaral in the period between 1731 and 1748. The aqueduct contributed significantly to solving Lisbon’s chronic water supply problems and to the development of the city. Amazingly, it survived the Great Earthquake of 1755 almost undamaged.

Visiting the Águas Livres Aqueduct

The Águas Livres Aqueduct ceased to operate in 1967. Today, the structure can be visited from March to November. A tour is not only recommended for architecture and water construction fans, but also for people who enjoy a beautiful view. From the arches of the aqueduct you can enjoy a great view of the northern districts of Lisbon. The inconspicuous entrance to the aqueduct is located on Calçada da Quintinha street in the Campolide district.

The Lisbon Water Museum

Very close to the aqueduct, you can also visit the historic Reservatório da Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras reservoir as part of the Lisbon Water Museum and the historic Reservatório da Patriarcal underground water reservoir in the Jardim do Príncipe Real in the Mercês district.

The story of Diogo Alves

Fortunately, a visit to the aqueduct today no longer holds the same dangers as in the past. Around the year 1830, the notorious villain Diogo Alves was up to his mischief here. He attacked passers-by, robbed them and plunged them into the depths. By 1837, he had over 70 people on his conscience. He was later caught, executed and his head prepared. Those who wish can view his head in the Anatomical Theater of Lisbon’s Faculty of Medicine.