According to the Encyclopedia Britannica , the aqueduct bridge was constructed using more than 24, granite blocks — also called ashlars — held together without mortar. Its highest point is almost 30 meters nearly feet above ground, with a six meter about 20 feet deep foundation to support the nearly 20,ton span of arches.
While most Roman aqueducts relied on a single tier of arches to reach the necessary height, the sharp drop-off into the valley just before Segovia itself required a second level to ensure water flow.
By slowing the flow of water through these basins, Roman engineers were able to leverage the process of decantation and remove the bulk of river sand from their water supply, improving both quality and safety. Building the aqueduct system likely took between two and five years, from initial planning stages that included water quality testing, slope analysis and evaluation of the physical condition of locals who regularly drank from the source.
Slaves were the typical source of labor, and would have been required to both move heavy blocks by hand and dig massive trenches to support channels and foundations. The original bridge work contained three niches with bronze plaques that listed builder names and construction dates. One included an image of Hercules — supposed founder of the city — but all have since been lost. This was especially evident in the desanding chambers, which required regular cleanings to remove sand buildup and replace damaged stonework.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, many fell into disrepair. Although the aqueduct remains intact there was no comprehensive management plan or funding to address the erosion of the stones, the increase of vibrations and pollution from cars, and heavy vegetation. The Municipality of Segovia proposed a comprehensive conservation project at the aqueduct that not only focused on the entire structure, but also its context and surrounding environment.
In February , an initial meeting was held in Segovia to discuss the implementation of the conservation plan and how best to protect the integrity of the hydraulic works and their surroundings. The workshop confirmed the urgent need to implement a management plan to protect and maintain the monument. The Aqueduct of Segovia is a unique structure from the Roman Empire that still conveys its original character and remains a prominent and evocative feature of the regional landscape It represents both the expansion of the Roman Empire during the 1st century A.
The Aqueduct of Segovia functioned for many centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire and served the communities of Segovia well into the modern era. Travel Safe Advice for travelling safely Latest news. The Aqueduct of Segovia. Home Art and culture. It must have been one of the largest in the Roman world. All the component parts of the built environment, from domestic architecture to the great religious and military structures, can be found here in a broad range of construction techniques and styles that reflect this unique, cultural diversity.
The inscribed property has an area of ha that contains all the necessary features to express its Outstanding Universal Value. The centre of the historic city, with its large number of remarkable monuments, including the Roman Aqueduct and the more humble domestic architecture, has been maintained. All of the attributes of the property show the complex and fascinating history of the city, particularly the coexistence of different religions and cultures, the mark of which can be admired in a wide range of architectural styles.
Their status as classified monuments within the Spanish government has helped to preserve them properly, and any intervention must be aimed at maintaining and safeguarding their characteristics and significance.
Due to its early legal protection, the property has maintained the features of authenticity, particularly in terms of location, form, and design. This is applicable not only to the highlighted monuments, such as the Roman Aqueduct, but also to other monuments and architectural ensembles in the city.
The traces of the medieval city, with historic areas like the Jewish Quarter, can be seen in the current layout of the town with its narrow streets, the type of paving, and the decorated rendering of the buildings, among other features.
As this urban ensemble is in continuous development, the property has been affected by modifications, but has always been under strict administrative controls, both from the municipality and the regional government, so as to not negatively impact the attributes that convey Outstanding Universal Value of the property.
In addition, all the projects concerning the property must be previously approved by the Commission for Cultural Heritage of Segovia. Given its World Heritage status, several projects have been drawn up to maintain and promote its Outstanding Universal Value, including international seminars about the conservation of the Aqueduct.
The City Council has a specific Department of Cultural Heritage that is in charge of municipal policies aiming at safeguarding the cultural significance of the site, and is also entrusted with other policies related to heritage, such as tourism or accessibility. Implementing these policies in a coordinated way remains a challenge, and the City Council faces the constant, common problems often found in other historic cities like Segovia increasing demand of public facilities, residential development, tourist facilities, refurbishment of degraded areas, etc.
Regulations to safeguard the Historic Site have been established through a new Urban Plan developed by the City Council. The definition of a buffer zone will be crucial to also protect views to and from the property to maintain the visual characteristics of the property, and also to protect the loop of the aqueduct.
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