Águas Livres Aqueduct - see Pictures here

The Águas Livres Aqueduct "Aqueduct of Free Waters"), is a historic aqueduct in Lisbon. It is one of the most remarkable examples of 18th-century Portuguese engineering. The main course of the aqueduct covers 18 km, but the whole network of canals extends through nearly 58 km.

The city of Lisbon has always suffered from the lack of drinking water, and King John V decided to build an aqueduct to bring water from sources in the parish of Caneças, in the modern district of Odivelas. The project was paid for by a special sales tax on beef, olive oil, wine, and other products. Construction started in 1731 under the direction of Italian architect Antonio Canevari, replaced in 1732 by a group of Portuguese architects and engineers, including Manuel da Maia, Azevedo Fortes and José da Silva Pais. Between 1733 and 1736, the project was directed by Manuel da Maia, who in turn was replaced by José Custódio Vieira, who would remain at the head of the project until around 1747. José Custódio Vieira conceived the centerpiece of the aqueduct, the arches over the Alcantara valley, completed in 1744. A total of 35 arches cross the valley, covering 941 m.

The tallest arches reach a height of 65 m, and many are pointed, reminiscent of arches in Gothic style. It is considered a masterpiece of engineering in the Baroque period. In 1748, although the project was still unfinished, the aqueduct finally started to bring water to the city of Lisbon, a fact celebrated in a commemorative arch built in the Amoreiras neighbourhood.

From this period on, construction was overseen by other architects, including Carlos Mardel of Hungary and others. During the reigns of José I and Maria I, the network of canals and fountains was greatly enlarged. The Mãe d'água (Mother of the Water) reservoir of the Amoreiras, the largest of the water reservoirs, was finished in 1834. This reservoir, with a capacity of 5,500 m of water, was designed by Carlos Mardel. It is now deactivated and can be visited as part of the Museu da água (Water Museum).

The most spectacular part, for its majesty, is the range of arches in "Alcântara", is 941 meters long, consisting of 35 arches, 14 of them ogival and the remaining complete. The biggest one is 32 meters large, 65 meters high, and it is the biggest arch of stone ever built in the whole world.

Today, "Av. Calouste Gulbenkian" can be seen underneath. Removed from the supplying system in 1967, the aqueduct is not only one of the ex-libris of Lisbon but also one of the most remarkable works of hydrological engineering ever built. Even today the majesty of this work astonishes us, due to its length and also because of the techniques and materials used, considering the time of its construction (the eighteenth century ).

Above the Aqueduct, on both sides, we can find the sidewalk. It allowed the passage of people and animals between the hills of "Amoreiras" (Campolide) and "Monsanto" (Serafina). This passage was locked up to the public in 1852, since it was not safe, especially at night, due to presence of several thieves. Being the most recalled, "Diogo Alves" who stoled and pushed down the aqueduct his victims. He killed many people, 4 of them from the same family. Identified and hanged up in 1841. The "Diogo Alves" stone is right over the biggest arch.

ACCESSES TO THE WATER MUSEUM (Driving Directions on Pictures)

Informations

• ADDRESS: Mãe d'água das Amoreiras
• OPEN: Everyday except Sundays from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• PRICE: €3