Category: Civil Architecture > Aqueduct
District: Lisboa > Odivelas > Caneças > Maria Teresa
In the parish of Caneças, in the municipality of Odivelas, lies an important section of the historic Águas Livres Aqueduct. This area, known as Maria Teresa, is set in an environment that combines urban spaces with the tranquility of the surrounding nature, characterized by some vegetation and valleys that shape the local landscape. The presence of the aqueduct in this zone refers to the origin of the water capture that supplied Lisbon for centuries, marking the landscape with a large-scale infrastructure that extends across various territories.
The Águas Livres Aqueduct is a remarkable engineering achievement of the 18th century, built to ensure the supply of potable water to the city of Lisbon. Its construction, initiated in 1731 by order of King D. João V, represented a monumental effort for its time, given its extension and the complexity of the architectural and hydraulic solutions implemented. This system was not limited to the main section that crosses the Alcântara valley, but included a vast network of galleries, underground conduits, and branches that captured water from various springs, extending for many kilometers.
In the parish of Caneças, the importance of the Águas Livres Aqueduct and its "affiliates and related structures" lies in its essential function of water capture and transport. This section of the aqueduct includes not only the main conduits, but also the secondary channels and underground galleries that collected water from the various sources and springs present in the region. The presence of these elements underlines the complexity and comprehensiveness of the system, which was designed to gather and direct the precious water resource to the capital. It is a testament to human capacity to overcome geographical and technical challenges to ensure the well-being of the population.
The section of the Águas Livres Aqueduct in Caneças is more than a mere old structure; it is an integral part of Portuguese historical and architectural heritage. Its preservation allows us to understand the evolution of sanitation infrastructures and the importance of natural resource management throughout history. Observing these vestiges on the ground invites reflection on the resilience and vision of the builders of the time, who left a lasting legacy. The way it integrates into the current landscape, often almost imperceptible to the less attentive eye, is a silent reminder of its vital presence in the past.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqueduto_das_Águas_Livres
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.817465555895794,-9.238360280468576
Coordinates DMS: 38°49'2.9"N 09°14'18.1"W
Weather Caneças
On-duty Pharmacy Caneças
