The Segovia aqueduct may be the most representative Roman remains of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the most important work of Roman engineering in Spain and is one of the best preserved monuments and is a symbol today for Segovia.

Built between the second half of the 1st and 2nd centuries under emperors Vespasian and Trajan. It has 162 arches and in its deepest part measures 28 meters and with about 6 meters of foundations. The aqueduct transports the waters of the Fuenfria spring. Located about 17 km from the city and travels more than 15 km before reaching the city.

During its construction the area belonged to the legal convent of Clunia.

The water is collected in a cistern called El Caserón, and then taken through a channel of ashlars to a second tower called Casa de Aguas, where it is decanted and desanded, to continue its journey. It then travels 728 meters (with a 1% slope) to the top of Postigo.

It is built with granite blocks placed without mortar between them. In Roman times, above the three tallest arches there was a cartouche with bronze letters stating the date and the builder. Also at the top you can see two niches, one on each side of the aqueduct.

It is known that in one of them was the image of Egyptian Hercules, who according to legend, was the founder of the city.

During the time of the Catholic Monarchs, the first major reconstruction work on the aqueduct was carried out. 36 arches were rebuilt, with great respect for the original work.

Now the image of the Virgin of Fuencisla and San Esteban can be seen in those two niches. Placed in the 16th century. The line of arches rises on two floors, with a simple decoration dominated by simple moldings that frame and structure the building.

The aqueduct provided water to the city of Segovia, and more specifically to its Alcázar until very recently.

It is undoubtedly one of the values that made possible the naming of the city of Segovia as a World Heritage City.

In 1992 cars stopped passing under the arches of the aqueduct. In order to avoid damage as much as possible due to vibrations caused by traffic.

Legend of the Segovia Aqueduct:

Legend has it that a girl had to transport water from the Fuenfría spring to her house. She complained bitterly about the work it cost and exclaimed out loud, “I would give anything for the water to reach the city gates by itself.” She immediately heard a voice behind her, asking her if she was really willing to give anything in exchange. of your desire. The girl, surprised because she was sure that there was no one else on the road with her, turned around and discovered a very well-dressed gentleman of indeterminate age. When she recovered from the shock, she replied that yes, she was willing to give anything in exchange for water to reach the gates of the city, but that she was poor and she could not offer anything of value in return. . The knight asked her if she would be willing to give him her soul in exchange. The girl who was not a very believer replied that her soul was of no use to him and that she would give it to him in exchange for fulfilling her promise. But with one condition, that the water reached the door of her house before the rooster crowed, a condition that I consider impossible to fulfill. After shaking hands the gentleman disappeared. The girl continued on her way, doubting whether what had just happened had been real or a fantasy. At night while she was sleeping a terrible storm broke out that woke her up and she left her house to see the storm and realized that there was only her on the street, that none of her neighbors were outside, they weren’t even looking out the windows, apparently she was there. city slept.

The girl observed that the rays of light were concentrating near the spring and she decided to go closer to observe. Her surprise was enormous when she discovered that the man she had been talking to in the morning was engulfed in flames and was moving at lightning speed, carrying huge stones that she placed at full speed.

At that moment she understood that it was the devil and, repentant, she began to beg God to save her and that the heavenly powers caused, upon discovering her sincere repentance, that that day dawned ahead of time, just when the devil was yet to place the last stone. She heard the rooster crow.

You will be able to enjoy this and other monuments while staying in La Casa de la Fragua, El Mirador del Herrero o La Casa de Fausto en Basardilla.