Segovia’s 2,000-year-old aqueduct: A marvel of Roman engineering that didn’t require mortar
For more than 2,000 years, the Segovia Aqueduct in Spain has stood tall in the heart of the city, becoming one of the most iconic examples of ancient Roman engineering. This massive structure continues to captivate visitors with its impressive design and longevity.
At 28 meters high and 813 meters long, the Segovia Aqueduct is located in the historic city of Segovia, about 100 kilometers northwest of Madrid, Spain. Built in the 1st century AD, when Segovia was an important town in the Roman Empire, this monumental aqueduct was built to transport water from the Frío River, 17 km away, to city.
The aqueduct’s complex water system includes an underground channel that carries water from the mountain to a large tank called “El Caserón” (The Big House), before flowing to a water tower called “Casa de Aguas” (The House). house of water). Here, the sand in the water naturally settles to the bottom and the purified water continues its journey through the 813-meter-long aqueduct, passing through Plaza de Díaz Sanz in the city center. The aqueduct’s double-domed structure, more than 28 meters high, is supported by 128 stone columns.
About 20,400 granite blocks were used to build this beautiful aqueduct, with the heaviest stones weighing up to 2 tons, while most weigh around 1 ton. The Romans used wooden cranes to lift these heavy rocks to a height of nearly 30 meters.
What is especially noteworthy is that the entire structure was built without the use of mortar or any adhesive materials – the giant stone blocks were simply stacked on top of each other. According to Amusing Planet, this design choice may be due to the area’s lack of limestone for cement production. But not using cement has extended the life of the aqueduct, allowing it to bend and withstand small earthquakes over the centuries.
During the Roman period, three of the tallest domes had bronze plaques recording the names of the builders and the date of construction. Today, two of these plaques are still visible at both ends of the aqueduct. At one time, the image of the Greek god Heracles was placed in a prominent position on the structure, but it was later replaced by an image of the Virgin Mary, and the original image was lost.
The inscriptions on the aqueduct have eroded over time, but archaeologists have dated its construction to the reign of Emperor Trajan or Emperor Hadrian in the 1st century AD. In the 11th century, Yahya ibn Ismail Al-Mamun’s invasion destroyed about 36 aqueduct arches. Some of the stone from the damaged arches was later used to rebuild King Alfonso VI’s castle.
By the 15th century, parts of the aqueduct were restored with a commitment to preserving the original architectural style. In the early 19th century, all the adjacent buildings were demolished to facilitate structural repairs and strengthening.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, the Segovia Aqueduct is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in existence. However, in recent years, part of the aqueduct has suffered erosion, damage and pollution from nearby traffic, causing the rock to weaken, crack and leak water from above. Since 2006, the aqueduct has been included in the conservation watch list of the World Monuments Fund (WMF).
The Segovia Aqueduct remains a testament to the ingenuity of Roman engineering. Despite the challenges it faces today, this ancient structure continues to inspire awe and admiration, serving as a proud symbol of our achievements and resilience. people through the ages.
