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The Segovia Aqueduct, alias El Puente (Spanish: "The Bridge"), a water transmission structure built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan (reigned 98-117 AD), is still in use today; It carries 16 km (10 mi) of water from the Rio Frio River to the Spanish city of Segovia. The aqueduct is one of the best-preserved Roman projects and was designated a Segovia World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. Heritage number: 311rev
In 2006, the site was listed on the World Monuments Watch by the World Heritage Fund.
Segovia is a city in central Spain located in the autonomous communities of Castile and León in the central and western parts of Spain. This important city is rich in history and cultural landscapes, and it is located on an important trade route between Merida and Zaragoza. In ancient history, it was an important Celtic settlement that was later controlled by the Romans. The city sits on a steep and isolated hill, built at the confluence of two rivers, on the main road between two important Roman settlements, Caesaugusta and Emerita.
Segovia (Spanish: Segovia) is a Spanish city and the capital of the province of Segovia in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León
As the city expanded, the population grew, and there was a lack of fresh water near the city, which led to the need for a water canal to supply the town.
The actual waterway system of the Segovia water transmission aqueduct is nearly 10.6 miles (17 km) long. Water is transported to the city from the Rio Frio River, 11 miles from the city of La Acebada, which is located above the mountains and belongs to the Guadarrama Mountains.
The Romans loved springs as a source of water. Compared to rivers, spring water has less risk of pollution and purer water quality. But in the Segovia region, the Romans had to use the Rio Frio River as a source of water. The Rio Frio River is located at an altitude of 13,509 feet (1,255 meters), and the water is first collected in a tank and then led through a passage to the second tower. There, the water is diverted into the passage at the beginning of the aqueduct. The aqueduct passage is 14 kilometres long and blends with valleys, hills and cities, creating a sense of grandeur and immortality.
The passage transports water through the rolling hills all the way to Segovia and the Alcazar Castle. The castle itself was built in the 12th century.
Overlooking the Alcha Castle from Segovia
The exact construction time of this aqueduct was never 100% accurate. Since it didn't have any key inscriptions to help date it, the building has been highly debated by historians for a long time. What most experts and scholars agree on is the general timeline of the 1st century AD. This set the period of construction during the reign of the Roman emperors Domition, Trajan and Nerva.
The Segovia Aqueduct was built from about 24,000 pieces of dark granite, and interestingly, they were originally built without any mortar. The above-ground section is 728 m (2,388 ft) long and consists of 165 arches 9 m (30 ft) high. In the center, the tilt of the terrain requires two layers of arches; There, the building rises 28.5 meters (93.5 feet) above the ground. The Romans bridged this gap by building a two-story stone arch that supported a portion of the wall and waterway above.
Dry masonry, no mortar
The granite used to build the aqueduct was mined locally, about 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) from Segovia, a feat of no small feat, with many granite blocks weighing one ton and the largest weighing two tons. The entire aqueduct bridge weighs nearly 20,000 tons.
The aqueduct bridge is only a small part of the entire water supply channel, accounting for about 5% of the total length.
View of the Segovia Aqueduct from the air
The first major threat to the aqueduct came during the reign of Alfonso VI. In 1072 AD, The Berber Muslim King Yahya ibn Ismail Mamun attempted to conquer Segovia. During this process, part of the aqueduct was damaged, about 36 arches. Later, some misplaced granite blocks were used by Alfonso VI to fortify his castle.
Around 1483, during the reign of Isabella I of Castile yón, the damaged arch was rebuilt as accurately as possible.
By the 19th and 20th centuries, the modernization of Segovia cities and the advent of motor vehicles threatened the survival of the aqueduct, although it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 along with the entire Old Town of Segovia.
The segovia aqueduct is at a busy traffic junction, and vehicles travel back and forth over several lanes between the ancient Roman arches. Local officials have even proposed demolishing one of the central arches to ease traffic flow.
Night view
Traffic is a major threat to aqueducts, as vibrations from many passing vehicles cause cracks and destabilize structures. In the late 1980s, engineers pleaded with the public, claiming that traffic jams and persistent neglect of the monument's safety would lead to the monument's imminent collapse.
Following this disturbing warning, the European Commission sent a delegation of several chief engineers to determine the actual status of the aqueduct. Several key aspects of aqueduct degradation have been demonstrated, notably stone weathering, vehicle contamination and constant vibration.
In 1992, all traffic vehicles under and around the aqueduct bridge were banned. Following this achievement, the local administrative council embarked on a dedicated conservation campaign, making many key efforts to extend the life of the Spanish national treasure.
Vehicles are no longer allowed to pass under the arches
Segovia Aqueduct, a huge and incredible building. It ruled Segovia and was an unshakable testimony to the far-reaching Roman Empire and its glorious achievements. It is also one of the best-preserved works of ancient Rome in the Iberian Peninsula.
This monumental building still stands nearly 2,000 years after its completion and is as stunning as the first day. His water delivery function continues to be used today. Although it has been restored over the centuries, it has not changed any of its original structure.
In November 2009, Spain, in cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, organized a technical workshop in Segovia. The workshop recognized the urgent need to implement a management plan to protect and maintain monuments. In the late winter of 2010, the aqueduct was highly valued in the exhibition "Treasures along the Castile León Santiago de Compostela" held by the Queen Sofia Institute of Spain in New York City.
This article was compiled by the WeChat public account Da Vinci's perspective author 007
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