This week, let’s go for a short but lofty walk in Lisbon; a stroll that will show us an important part of Lisbon’s development as a city at a site that doesn’t appear on may visitors’ to see list, and we’ll enjoy some tremendous views to boot.
Two classic Lisbon sites seen from its aqueduct, May 2017
The Águas Livres Aqueduct is splendid example of 18th-century Portuguese engineering. This structure runs for 18 km, and the network of canals that feed it stretch for almost 58 km.
King John V decided to build an aqueduct to bring water from the parish of Caneças into the often thirsty centre of Lisbon. Its construction started in 1731, it started operations in 1748 and work continued until 1799. This complex project was the work of several architects and engineers, and the result is stunning, for both its technical achievement and its beauty.
Whilst it is no longer a working aqueduct, it is open to the public and provides a walk across and back of around 2 km. It is an easy, completely level, walk with a solid wall between the pedestrian and the sheer drop. The attractive arches above you are superseded by the massive ones below, with sturdy pillars supporting the water’s path. This walkable section crosses the Alcantara valley, with a total of 35 arches, the tallest of which are 65 metres tall.
Not far along the aqueduct, there is a door into the centre of the structure, where you get to gaze down and admire the now empty water tunnel. This passage also allows you to cross to the other side of the structure so that you can enjoy views in all directions.
Entrance to the aqueduct is at the Museu da Água, Calçada da Quintinha 6, Campolide. More information available here.
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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 3 July 2017
Posted as part of Monday Walks
Travel with Intent 
😲 Amazing!
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Isn’t it strange how beautifully our ancients constructed simple civic projects? Our present waterworks projects are just plain and often quite ugly
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Yes, given what they were doing technically it is admirable that they also focussed on art
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Great pictures Debbie!!! The water tunnel is phenomenal!!!
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An amazing engineering accomplishment! and a beauty too
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I saw this on Becky’s site, Debs, but I didn’t realise how high it is! It’s monumental! And I’ve never managed to see it in person. 😦 The tunnel shot is fabulous and I really love the one before it too. Many thanks for linking, hon. We will get back to Lisbon one of these days. 🙂 🙂
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No-one I asked even knew it could be walked so I wasn’t sure what I’d find! But it was great. And then I found in the Easyjet in-flight magazine when I flew home
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How typical is that? 🙂 🙂
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Need a head for heights certainly . . . . but doesn’t it look glorious on a sunny day. We had cloudy skies when we went, and thought it was lovely then but in your shots Debbie it looks stupendous 🙂
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I loved it! I wandered up and down both sides a couple of times! It really is a beauty
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So glad more people are discovering it 🙂
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