Aqueduct of the French Women

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Lisboa > Amadora > Alfragide > Zambujal

Location

The Aqueduct of the French is located in the town of Alfragide, within the Zambujal area, in the municipality of Amadora. Its extension winds through urban areas and green spaces. Part of its route is visible in the surroundings of the Zambujal Park, a landscaped area that provides a tranquil environment, with paths, lawn beds, and various trees. In this area, it is possible to observe some of its elements on the surface, in a setting that invites a relaxing stroll and contemplation of the surrounding urban and natural landscape.

History and Purpose

This aqueduct is a hydraulic engineering work built between the 18th and 19th centuries, intended to reinforce the water supply to the city of Lisbon. Its construction was a lengthy process, extending over a long period and resulting from the vision of several architects and engineers of the time. The Aqueduct of the French is not an isolated structure; it constitutes an important branch that connects to the capital's largest water supply system, the famous Aqueduct of the Free Waters. Its construction represented a significant advance for the city's water management, ensuring a constant and reliable flow for its inhabitants.

Architectural Features and Innovation

Approximately three kilometers long, the aqueduct consists mostly of underground sections, interspersed with small surface sections. Its vaulted internal galleries, built of stonework or brick, feature a side walkway and one or two channels for water conduction. One of the notable characteristics of this work is that the galleries have a human-scale headroom. This design, innovative for the period, allowed maintenance and cleaning work to be carried out without the need to interrupt the water supply, through diversion pipes that diverted the flow to a single channel while the other was being worked on. This aspect highlights the intelligence and durability of the project.

Mother of Water and Vents

Along its route, the structure is marked by various elements that rise above ground. Among them, the Mother of Water stands out, the initial point of capture, which has a more imposing and scenic character. With an octagonal plan and reinforced by buttresses, its domed roof and interior adorned with stonework benches give it a more elaborate architectural presence. In addition to the Mother of Water, numerous vents or skylights punctuate the aqueduct's path. These ventilation and access elements vary in shape, being quadrangular or circular, some simple and others artistically worked, exhibiting details of baroque inspiration, such as bell-shaped coverings.

Heritage Value

The Aqueduct of the French is today a historical testimony to Portuguese hydraulic engineering and the dedication to improving urban life in past centuries. Its importance is recognized by its classification as a National Monument, integrating a broader heritage complex that covers the entire system of aqueducts and fountains linked to Lisbon's supply. Its presence in the landscape, both underground and surfaced, gives cultural and recreational value to the area, inviting a close look at this remarkable heritage that shaped the city's history.

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