Aqueduct of Serra do Pilar or Aqueduct of Sardão

Category: Civil Architecture > Aqueduct

District: Porto > Vila Nova de Gaia > Oliveira do Douro > Zona Industrial

Location

This remarkable aqueduct is located in Oliveira do Douro, a parish in the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, which is part of the metropolitan area of Porto. Its presence in the landscape, although set in a more industrialized area, attests to the historical importance of infrastructure for supplying the region.

A Historical Legacy

The Aqueduct of Serra do Pilar, also known as the Sardão Aqueduct, is a structure of great historical significance, with its construction dating back to the late 18th century, around 1797 to 1800. It was not built for a private estate but rather as a major public work intended to ensure the water supply for both the city of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. This project highlights the growing need for infrastructure to serve the expanding populations of the time.

Architectural Features

This aqueduct is impressive for its robust construction in stone, predominantly granite, a material that gives it durability and a remarkable integration into the local landscape. Its architecture is marked by an extensive arcade composed of about twenty-three arches, which are supported by pillars of varying heights. This ingenious adaptation to the uneven terrain demonstrates the technical mastery of the builders of that era, allowing the structure to follow the natural relief.

Value and Preservation

The Aqueduct of Serra do Pilar is recognized as a symbol of its parish, representing a significant landmark of local heritage. Its historical and architectural value was formally recognized with its classification as a Property of Public Interest, attesting to its relevance to collective and cultural memory. Although it has undergone some modifications and the inevitable damage caused by time, it remains a point of interest that invites observation and appreciation of 18th-century engineering.

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