The Romans were incredible builders and the Pont de Gard is a great example.  The Romans believed that clean water was necessary for the health of all Romans and worked hard to assure that all major towns had a fresh and sure source. For the town of Nimes, the closest water source was the mountains--a long way away. What to do? Build an aqueduct, of course. 50 kilometers long and capable of carrying 44 million gallons of fresh water each day. Not bad for 19BC!

What is even more impressive is the fact that this aqueduct worked for 900 years before the passage calcified closed. Would that we could build for so long!
Pont du Gard is the largest remaining piece of the system and shows the challenges that had to be over come to build the aqueduct. The top level of the bridge is the covered water passage. The next level down is a bridge for pedestrian traffic. Beneath this all is the river that prompted this impressive construction. 

What we did not know was that the river is a popular local swimming spot. Too bad. On a 35 degree afternoon, a dip would have felt good! Next time we will take the chance and carry our trunks. 

 

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Page created on 03 Jan 2002