Lisbon - Aqueduto das Águas Livres

In some places the pipeline is supported by pillars, in others, where the water flows underground, only the little ventilation shafts can be seen. The construction of a water pipeline had been under discussion since the time of Manuel I. It was supposed to solve the city's yearly summer water shortage and the ensuing hygiene problems.

For some time the idea of transporting fresh water into the center from the springs (known as "Águas Livres") at Canecas to the north of Lisbon had been considered. During the reign of Joao V, who had a love of anything grandiose, the project was finally tackled. Although sufficient funds were available at that time from Brazilian goldmines, the construction had to be financed through public taxes, as Joao's priorities were for prestigious and sacred buildings. Work on the aqueduct took place over several decades.

Building started in 1731 under the direction of the Italian Antonio Canevari, although shortly afterwards Custódio José Vieira and Manuel da Maia, both Portuguese, took charge. The latter was heavily involved in the reconstruction of Lisbon after the earthquake; he first made his name through the building of the aqueduct, which survived the earthquake undamaged. The crossing of the Alcántara valley was completed in 1748, immediately guaranteeing the city's water supply. The complete water pipeline continued to be worked on until the 19th century. The construction is based on the principle of gravity. Water flows for kilometers into the city at a constant rate, partly underground, partly at ground level or - as at Alcántara valley - at a height of approximately 65m/213ft. The gently sloping style of the aqueduct - at its beginning it measures 178m/584ft high and at its end 94.3m/309ft - meant that water could be transported to Lisbon and collected there at Mae d'Água, a castle surrounded by water at the Jardim das Amoreiras.

Until 1880 Lisbon's water demands were mostly met by the aqueduct, but then the increasing needs of the growing city rendered its capacity insufficient and a new main was constructed. Although the whole extent of the Aqueduto das Águas Livres could be used in principle today, it was finally closed down.

The Aqueduto das Águas Livres was open to the public until 1853. It served the inhabitants of the suburbs as a short cut across the Alcántara valley. Attacks by the then famous/infamous robber Diogo Alves, who lay in wait for his victims up on the other side, robbed them and pushed them over the edge into the valley below, together with the increasing number of suicides led to the crossing being closed off. For some years the aqueduct was opened at weekends in the summer for visits and for walking across.

At present it is open only to organized groups by prior arrangement. From the aqueduct an interesting view across the Alcántara valley with its network of roads the Tagus can be enjoyed.

The northern view includes the railroad line to Sintra, as it leaves the 2.6km/2mi tunnel which passes under the city.