R114-4, 213, 7000 Évora
4.6
Introduction

The Águas Livres Aqueduct was an advanced engineering project in the 16th century, and its construction techniques were challenging at the time. This 9-kilometer long aqueduct brought fresh water to Évora to address its water supply issues. The aqueduct had a massive stone arch shape, and many houses and shops were built underneath the arches within the city for convenient access to water. The water was directed into a large reservoir called Praça do Giraldo, which was unfortunately destroyed in the 17th century.
There are now two best viewpoints for observing the Águas Livres Aqueduct. The first is located on the ring road outside the city walls, where the arches can reach a height of 25 meters. The second viewpoint is under the R114 road, located 1 kilometer north of Évora. If driving from Lisbon, you will pass through this area upon entering Évora. Within the city of Évora, the aqueduct is almost hidden by various secondary buildings, and the true arches are difficult to see. However, some historical remnants can still be found near Rua do Cano, Rua do Salvador, and Travessa das Nunes. Back to top