Description of the attraction
Aqueduct Aguas Librish (literally - "aqueduct of free waters") is considered one of the most interesting structures in Lisbon. This impressive engineering structure forms part of the Lisbon water supply system and crosses the Alcantara Valley in the northwestern part of Lisbon.
The aqueduct consists of 35 arches, of which 21 are semicircular, 14 are lancet, the highest of which is 62 meters and 33.7 meters in length. The aqueduct was not damaged during the Lisbon earthquake in 1755 precisely because of its design. The length of the aqueduct is 941 meters. Basically, it runs underground and from time to time comes to the surface in the form of grandiose arcades.
The aqueduct was built during the reign of Juan V, who was famous for his love for everything grand and majestic. The emergence of the aqueduct solved the problem of water shortages in the city, which was especially acute in the summer. Construction began in 1731 and work lasted for decades. The construction was supervised by the Portuguese engineer Manuel de Maya, who later took an active part in the restoration of Lisbon after the earthquake in 1755. Water through the aqueduct entered the Mahe Aguash reservoir, and from there was distributed throughout the city.
Until the middle of the 19th century, a pedestrian walkway was opened along the aqueduct. But after the famous killer Diogo Alves was operating on it (robbing victims and throwing them down), as well as more frequent suicides, the pedestrian passage was closed. Today the aqueduct is open only to organized groups who agree on the excursion in advance.
