Aqueduct of Segovia: The Mortar-Less Miracle

The aqueduct of Segovia is a classic example of Roman water transport architecture—simple in design, yet magnificent to behold, and surprisingly durable. The aqueduct was built in the 1st century AD to convey water from Frío River, 17 km away, to the city, and it has been carrying out this function in one form or another for the past 2,000 years. This is all the more impressive when you realize that this aqueduct was built without a single ounce of mortar. Segovia, situated approximately 100 km northwest of Madrid, was originally a Celtic settlement, before the city fell to the Romans in around 80 BC. Under the Romans, Segovia rose to become an important town of Roman Hispania. The Aqueduct of Segovia. Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com The bold construction made from stacked granite blocks without mortar and without bracing was built in the later part of the 1st century, or the early 2nd century; it’s hard to tell since the inscription on the stones of the aqueduct, which would have firmly established the date of construction, had eroded away. Archeological evidence suggests that the later date is more likely, which puts the time of construction around the time of Emperor Trajan or Emperor Hadrian. Water was brought from the mountains taking advantage of the natural elevation through a subterranean channel to a large storage tank called El Caserón (or Big House), from which it was led to a second tower known as the Casa de Aguas (or Waterhouse). There it was naturally decanted and sand settled out before the water continued its route, travelling 728 meters over the elevated aqueduct bridge until it reached Plaza de Díaz Sanz. Crossing the wide Plaza, the aqueduct bridge looks dramatic with its tall double arches supported by pillars performing a spectacular balancing act. The decision to build the bridge without mortar was probably imposed by the lack of limestone to make cement in this part of the region.