Aqueduct at Segovia

                Located in Segovia, Spain, the Aqueduct at Segovia was built around during the second half of the first century A.D. when the Roman empire was under control. Its also one of the most significant and best preserved monuments of the Iberian peninsula. The aqueduct supplied water from the Frio river to the city of Segovia into the 20th century. If the aqueduct wasn't there and Segovia was low on water resources, then nobody will have water to use. So this is the purpose of the Aqueduct of Segovia. The aqueduct was more than 10 miles. Some of the arches of the aqueduct was destroyed during the conquest of the Muslims in the 9th century. Shortly around the 15th century, the Catholic kings ordered the people to rebuild the arches at the Aqueduct. 

Aqueduct at Segovia

                The aqueduct stands at 93 feet which is the maximum height and the remaining is dug into the main section at 19 feet. The aqueduct simply adjusts to the contours of the valley, hills, and city therefore creating a sense of monumentality. The pillars are made of solid stone blocks which would fit in place with no mortar. The lower arches would mostly be equivalent in height according to the structure's alteration to the contours of the land. It has 167 arches which is originated from the granite stone of the Guadarrama mountains. Modern aqueducts of today lack the arched grandeur built by the Romans greatly surpass the earlier ones in length and the amount of water it carries.

Ancient Roman aqueducts compared to today

               During the Roman era, each of the three tallest arches displayed a sign in bronze letters indicating the name of its builders along with the date of construction. Some architectural features of the aqueduct are the arches. The arches are one of the major architectural features because the arches give the aqueduct look, style, and beauty. Another major architectural feature is the Gradient. The gradient is more of an angle for the aqueduct to reach the city of Segovia. If the angle was too low, the water would ruin the rocks. If the angle was too high, the water would be really slow and Segovia won't be able to get any water. There's a legend about this structure that Lucifer himself built the bridge in one night in order to win a soul of a woman.

statue of Hercules with the Virgin Mary

The top of the Aqueduct of Segovia

                 Before the water runs into the city of Segovia, it first gathers in a tank called El Caseron (Big house), then it is led through a channel to a second tower known as the Casa de Aguas (Waterhouse).  From there the water is naturally decanted and sand settles out before the water continues its route. Next the water travels more through a one percent grade until it is high upon the Postigo, a rocky outcropping in which the old city enters, the Segovia Alcazar. This aqueduct will always remain one of the most impressive Roman aqueducts in Europe due to it being served for over 2000 years.

Works Cited:

[1] Roman Aqueducts outside Rome: Acueducto De Los Milagros, Almunecar, Aqua Augusta (naples), University-Press Org, 2013.

[2]http://www.spain.info/en_US/reportajes/el_acueducto_de_segovia_la_huella_del_imperio_romano_en_castilla.html