The Ferreres Aqueduct ( ca, Aqüeducte de les Ferreres ), also known as the Pont del Diable (; en, "Devil's Bridge"), is an ancient
bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, which is usually somethi ...
, part of the
Roman aqueduct built to supply water to the ancient city of
Tarraco
Tarraco is the ancient name of the current city of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain). It was the oldest Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula. It became the capital of the Roman province of Hispania Citerior during the period of the Roman Republi ...
, today
Tarragona
Tarragona (, ; Phoenician: ''Tarqon''; la, Tarraco) is a port city located in northeast Spain on the Costa Daurada by the Mediterranean Sea. Founded before the fifth century BC, it is the capital of the Province of Tarragona, and part of Tarr ...
in
Catalonia
Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a '' nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy.
Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the nort ...
,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. The bridge is located 4 kilometers north of the city and it is part of the
Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco (listed as a UNESCO's
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
since 2000).
Description
The Tarraco aqueduct took water from the
Francolí river, 15 kilometers north of Tarragona. It probably dates from the time of the emperor
Augustus
Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor; he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Pr ...
.
Les Ferreres Aqueduct is composed of two levels of arches: the upper section has 25 arches, and the lower one has 11. All arches have the same diameter of 20
Roman feet
The ancient Roman units of measurement were primarily founded on the Hellenic system, which in turn was influenced by the Egyptian system and the Mesopotamian system. The Roman units were comparatively consistent and well documented.
Length
...
(5.9m) with a variation of 15 cm. The distance between centres of the pillars is 26 Roman feet (7.95m).
Tarragona (Spain) at romanaqueducts.info
/ref> It has a maximum height of and a length of , including the ends where the specus (water channel) runs atop a wall.
Image:Aqüeducte de les Ferreres Tarragona 2.jpg,
Image:Aqüeducte de les Ferreres Tarragona 3.jpg,
Image:Aqüeducte de les Ferreres Tarragona 1.jpg,
Image:E5367-Tarragona-Aqueduct.jpg,
See also
* Roman bridges
* List of Roman aqueduct bridges
References
External links
*
Les Ferreres AqueductArchaeological Ensemble of Tárraco - UNESCO's World Heritage Sites Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferreres, Aqueducte de les
World Heritage Sites in Catalonia
Archaeological sites in Catalonia
Roman aqueducts outside Rome
Roman bridges in Catalonia
Bridges completed in the 1st century
Aqueducts in Spain
Water supply and sanitation in Catalonia