Aqueduto de Óbidos

Aqueduct in Óbidos

Aqueduto De Óbidos
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Vitor Oliveira

The Aqueduct of Óbidos is an impressive engineering feat that stretches over 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) outside the town of Óbidos, Portugal. It was built in the 16th century to transport water from the Usseira River to the town’s cisterns, fountains, and other public places.

The aqueduct is made up of a series of 127 arches, some of which reach up to 30 meters (98 feet) in height. The arches are made of limestone blocks and were built without the use of any mortar, relying solely on the weight and balance of the stones to stay in place.

The aqueduct was designed by the famous Portuguese architect and military engineer, Francisco de Arruda, who also worked on other notable projects such as the Belém Tower in Lisbon. The aqueduct of Óbidos is considered one of his greatest achievements.

Visitng the Aqueduto de Óbidos

Today, visitors to Óbidos can walk or bike along the aqueduct’s path, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside and marvelling at the impressive engineering feat that has stood the test of time. The aqueduct is also lit up at night, creating a romantic and unforgettable sight for visitors to the town.

The Aqueduto de Óbidos appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Óbidos!

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Visiting Aqueduto de Óbidos

Address: Aqueduto de Óbidos, N114, Óbidos, Portugal
Duration: 1 hours

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