Águas Livres Aqueduct
Águas Livres Aqueduct is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Lisbon audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~60 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Lisbon Lisbon guide
About Águas Livres Aqueduct
An 18th-century engineering masterpiece stretching 58km, with 109 arches crossing the Alcântara valley, one of the greatest aqueducts ever built, which survived the 1755 earthquake intact.
The Aqueduto das Águas Livres, the Free Waters Aqueduct, is one of the greatest engineering achievements of 18th-century Europe, a 58-kilometre system of arches, tunnels, and channels that brought fresh water from springs at Caneças to Lisbon from 1748 until the 20th century. The aqueduct crosses the Alcântara valley in Lisbon on 109 pointed Gothic arches, the tallest of which reaches 65 metres, for a time the tallest arches in the world. The system was commissioned by King João V, who imposed a tax on wine, olive oil, and meat to finance it. Construction lasted from 1731 to 1748. The most remarkable aspect of the aqueduct is that it survived the catastrophic 1755 earthquake almost completely intact, an extraordinary testament to its construction quality. It continues to stand today and can be walked on top: the walkway along the aqueduct offers extraordinary views over Lisbon. The aqueduct has a dark footnote in history: in the 19th century, a serial killer named Diogo Alves threw his victims from the top of the arches into the Alcântara valley below.
Did you know? The Águas Livres Aqueduct survived the catastrophic 1755 Lisbon earthquake completely intact and provided the city's only clean water supply in the aftermath.
How long should you spend at Águas Livres Aqueduct?
Plan about ~60 min at Águas Livres Aqueduct. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Águas Livres Aqueduct worth visiting?
Águas Livres Aqueduct is one of the 28 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Lisbon, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Lisbon
Hear the story of Águas Livres Aqueduct
Preview the Lisbon tour free in the Gingerguide app.