Pont du Gard
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The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD to carry water over 50 km (31 mi) to the Roman colony of Nemausus (Nîmes). It crosses the river Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France. The Pont du Gard is one of the best preserved Roman aqueduct bridges. It was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites in 1985 because of its exceptional preservation, historical importance, and architectural ingenuity.
Pont du Gard
Pont du Gard's stone blocks, some of which weigh up to six tons, were precisely cut to fit together without the need for mortar.
Pont du Gard viewed from adjacent bridge
Cross section of the Pont du Gard (right) and the 18th-century road bridge (left) (Alfred Léger, 1875)
Roman aqueduct
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The Romans constructed aqueducts throughout their Republic and later Empire, to bring water from outside sources into cities and towns. Aqueduct water supplied public baths, latrines, fountains, and private households; it also supported mining operations, milling, farms, and gardens.
The multiple arches of the Pont du Gard in Roman Gaul (modern-day southern France). The upper tier encloses an aqueduct that carried water to Nimes in Roman times; its lower tier was expanded in the 1740s to carry a wide road across the river.
Parco degli Acquedotti, a park in Rome named after the aqueducts that run through it
Ruins of the Aqua Anio Vetus, a Roman aqueduct built in 272 BC
Galería de los Espejos (Gallery of Mirrors), a tunnelled part of a 25 km Roman aqueduct built during the 1st century AD near Albarracín (Spain)