Just a short drive due west of Avignon is one of the greatest Roman ruins in the world: the Pont du Gard aqueduct.
Throughout the ancient world Roman aqueducts were a powerful symbol of the greatness of Rome. A visit to Pont du Gard today still impresses and awes.
Throughout the ancient world Roman aqueducts were a powerful symbol of the greatness of Rome. A visit to Pont du Gard today still impresses and awes.
This perfectly preserved aqueduct was built in 19 B.C. as a key link in a 30-mile long canal that supplied water to the Nîmes, one of ancient Europe's largest cities. The stones you see sticking out held the original scaffolding used when the aqueduct was built and the workers decided not to chop them off so they could use them again for more scaffolding during future repairs.
Graffiti from all ages.
The bridge is about 160 feet high and 790 feet of the original 1,100 remain intact.
This aqueduct is exceptional not just for how well preserved it is, but for its sheer size. The arches are twice the width of standard aqueduct arches and the main arch spanning the river is the single largest arch the Romans ever built!
Video footage of Pont du Gard:
Our family at the Pont du Gard on Wednesday April 5th 2017.
Next stop: the amazing medieval walled fairy-tale city of Carcassonne!
How absolutely amazing!! I am in AWE!!! Isn't it inspiring that they were able to create this before the world had technology?!?!? I mean -- in today's world, they would need a team of architects, engineers and contractors to even think about creating something like this!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing feat of "modern" architecture from the days before Christ....almost unfathomabke for my brain! What a great family experience and a very appreciated delight for those of us lucky enough to enjoy your sharing with us!! Thank you for this and for all your artistic creations that inspire and motivate me!! I can't tell you how much that means to me at this moment!!💗💗💗
ReplyDeleteHow amazing to see that you have been at Pont du Gard ! I live 10 minutes from there in Uzès. Seems like you haven't been there. Too bad ! It's a beautiful medieval city as well. Anyhow, it great to know where you have been around in Europe !
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