Acueducto de los Arcos

The Acueducto de los Arcos is a monumental aqueduct located in Teruel, in Aragon. It was built between 1537 and 1558 by the French engineer Quinto Pierres Vedel, commissioned by the Teruel City Council, with the intention of improving the city’s water supply. This aqueduct is recognized as a Cultural Heritage (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the Monument category and is one of the most important monuments of historical and cultural significance in Teruel.




This aqueduct is about 7 km long and consists of various elements, such as ceramic pipes, wells, tunnels, arches, and bridges. Its most characteristic part is a bridge called Los Arcos, which passes over a deep gorge, separating the old city from the new one.




This bridge has two levels: the lower one with two arches and the upper one with six arches. In the middle of the bridge, there is a column with a fountain and a small sculpture of a bull, which refers to the legend of the founding of the city. On the side walls of the bridge, there are ceramic tiles with plant and geometric motifs, typical of Mudéjar art.




This aqueduct was not only a source of water but also a symbol of the prestige and progress of the city. Thanks to it, Teruel could develop economically and socially, and also improve the sanitary and health conditions of its inhabitants. The water from the aqueduct supplied numerous fountains, which were located throughout the city, such as the fountain at Plaza del Torico, the fountain at Plaza de San Juan, or the fountain at Plaza de la Marquesa. The water from the aqueduct was also used for industrial purposes, such as mills, tanneries, or dye houses. This aqueduct was used until the end of the 19th century when it was replaced by a more modern water supply system.