Thursday, April 26, 2007

Aqueduto das Águas Livres

Free waters Aqueduct

King John V ordered its construction between 1731 and 1748 through the initiative of Claudio Gorgel do Amaral and the architects Antonio Cannevari, Manuel da Maia and Carlos Mardel.


Since the spring in Caneças until Amoreiras its length is of 18605 metres. With the galleries and affluents it reaches 59838 metres

Its monumental part is formed by 3 sets:
1 - Alcântara Arches
2 - Amoreira Arch
3 - Mãe d’ Água







1- Alcantara Arches have an extension of 35 arches with a length of 941 metres. The biggest arch has an embrasure of 65,25 m high and 28,86 m wide and it is the biggest stone arch known. Over the arch there is the tunnel, which includes a pedestrian passage with 1,40 m wide.


3 - Mãe d’Água was projected by the architect Carlos Mardel to receive and distribute the waters carried through the aqueduct. It was concluded in1834. Inside there is the Arca d’Agua (Water Arch) with 7 m depth. From its terrace we overlook a beautiful sight over the city of Lisbon.






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