Aqueduct of the Silver Water

Category: Civil Architecture > Aqueduct

District: Évora > Évora > Évora > Sé e São Pedro

Location

The Aqueduto da Água de Prata (Silver Water Aqueduct), an impressive work of Renaissance engineering, is located in the city of Évora, specifically in the area encompassing the parishes of Sé and São Pedro. This privileged location makes the aqueduct an integral part of the Historic Centre of Évora, recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

When exploring Évora, visitors will encounter visible sections of the aqueduct that are uniquely integrated into the urban fabric, with its presence notable in the city's streets and squares.

A Monumental Work of the Renaissance

Built in the 16th century, during the reign of D. João III, the Aqueduto da Água de Prata was inaugurated in 1537, a remarkable achievement for its time. Its conception and construction were overseen by the royal architect Francisco de Arruda, responsible for other important national works. The main objective of this structure was to supply the city of Évora with potable water, an urgent need given the population growth and supply shortages.

Along its almost 18 kilometers of extension, connecting the springs of Graça do Divor to the heart of the city, the aqueduct demonstrates the high technical skill of its builders. It is noteworthy that this grand work of hydraulic engineering is one of the few aqueducts of its era that remains operational, still contributing today to Évora's water supply.

Architecture and Urban Integration

The aqueduct's architecture is marked by Renaissance solidity and elegance, featuring sections that rise over 25 meters high and others underground that adapt to the terrain's topography. Its entrance into the city is particularly notable on Rua do Cano, where the monumental structure of the arches was ingeniously integrated into urban daily life, with houses and commercial establishments built directly within its arcades.

Along its urban route, various fountains and spouts were erected, such as the Renaissance Water Box on Rua Nova de Santiago, adorned with Tuscan columns, which demonstrates the artistic commitment at certain points of its construction. These additions over the centuries enriched the aqueduct's functionality and aesthetics, making it a living element in Évora's urban fabric.

Legacy and Pedestrian Route

The Aqueduto da Água de Prata, whose name is believed to derive from the purity and clarity of the waters from its original spring, "Fonte da Prata" (Silver Spring), is an enduring symbol of Portuguese history and engineering. Its importance was even recognized by the poet Luís Vaz de Camões, who referenced it in his epic work, Os Lusíadas.

Currently, part of the aqueduct's route can be walked along a marked pedestrian path, which is integrated into Évora's environmental routes. This walk offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the surrounding Alentejo landscape, with its olive groves, vineyards, and cork forests, allowing a direct connection with nature and a different perspective on this remarkable historical construction.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt