This is the Aqueduct of Segovia, which was probably built during the second half of the 1st Century AD, and is one of the most significant and best-preserved Roman monuments in Spain.
Technically, this is just the bridge part of a much longer aqueduct which carries water to Segovia from 17 kilometres away. It is only when the aqueduct crosses Segovia’s Plaza Azoguejo that it really becomes a sight to behold. This ancient engineering masterpiece is comprised of 167 arches reaching up to 28.5 metres!
Some of the height is obvious in the Google Image thanks to the fantastic shadow, but here’s some ground level photos that give you a good sense of scale, and here’s another that conveys how incredibly old this structure is.
Thanks to Ignacio Sanz.
Locations: Spain / Categories: Bridges, Shadows, Structures
View in Google Earth
You’re reading an entry from Google Sightseeing, which is copyright © 2008 Alex Turnbull & James Turnbull and must not be reproduced without permission.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:55 am
dr.R., I’ve wanted to post the Pont du Gard for years! As soon as the imagery is there, we’ll do it
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:56 am
Unfortunately that other famous Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard in France is not covered by very high resolution imagery… Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
Perhaps that’s why it was not yet featured in GSS?
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:57 am
And to think for the first thousand years it was covered in hay bales.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:58 am
It has an incredible height and it’s in the middle of Segovia, so you can cross by walking underneath. Two thousand years and it’s still magnificent. It’s worth the visit.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:59 am
when i went to spain when i was 12, this aqueduct was one of the most impressive things ever. I still remember to this day walking the streets of segovia and rounding a corner and boom there it was. I’ve seen many an aqueduct, but this one by far has been the most impressive.