CARIOCA AQUEDUCT

Description

Essentials about the Carioca Aqueduct in brief

The Carioca Aqueduct is one of the most famous and imposing structures in Rio de Janeiro for its size alone. Built in the mid-18th century, the aqueduct, which once supplied the people of Rio with fresh water from the Carioca River of the same name, is an impressive architectural and technical feat from the Portuguese colonial period. Nowadays, the Carioca Aqueduct enjoys great popularity due to its new use as a viaduct of a streetcar line. Due to its location in the Lapa district and its many arches, the aqueduct is called by many locals “Arcos da Lapa” (“Arches of Lapa”).

The history of the Carioca Aqueduct

The Carioca Aqueduct in the 17th century

Water supply was a major challenge for the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro in the city’s early years. The city center was surrounded by swamps with poor water quality, so fresh water had to be brought in by hand from relatively distant rivers. Therefore, since the beginning of the 17th century, there were plans to build a canal system to connect the Carioca River on Santa Teresa hill with the city center. However, the construction of the canals presented the city administration with great technical and financial difficulties. By the end of the 17th century, only a few hundred meters had been completed.

The Carioca Aqueduct in the 18th century

At the beginning of the 18th century, the project received new impetus and in 1723 the first aqueduct was completed, transporting fresh water to a fountain in Santo Antônio Square. 20 years later, this aqueduct was already in such bad condition that it had to be replaced by a new one. The new aqueduct, inaugurated in 1750, was the work of Portuguese engineer José Fernandes Pinto Alpoim, who drew inspiration from similar structures in Portugal. The architectural highlight of the aqueduct is its connection of the two hills of Santa Teresa and Santo Antônio. This section is 270 meters long and consists of 42 double-story arches with a height of almost 18 meters.

The Carioca Aqueduct in the 19th century

In colonial times, the Carioca Aqueduct fed water to several wells throughout Rio de Janeiro. When, at the end of the 18th century, the Carioca River was no longer sufficient as a source of water, other rivers were tapped for the city’s water supply. Finally, at the end of the 19th century, the days of the aqueduct were numbered and the structure was given a completely new use, which has remained to this day – as a viaduct for a streetcar line. Since 1896, the Bonde de Santa Teresa (Santa Terasa Tramway) has connected downtown Rio with the hilltop neighborhood of Santa Teresa. The ride on the yellow cars of the Bonde is still a highlight for both tourists and locals.