Aqueduc des arcades

About

The Arcades aqueduct is a bridge-aqueduct located in the town of Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales. It is about 300 m long, 4.60 m wide and 13 m high. It is composed of 21 arcades and northeast / southwest orientation. The tenth arch is wider than the others, in order to let pass an 18th century path, now replaced by a railway line. This aqueduct is considered the most important hydraulic art work in the Roussillon in the Middle Ages.

Location: The arcade aqueduct, also known as "Rec Comtal" or "Las Canals", is located on the avenue d'Espagne, in Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales) and departs from Ille-sur-Têt to reach the canal of the city. It was commanded by the Majorca Kings between the 12th and 14th centuries.

History: A first wooden work was mentioned as early as 1338, but it was replaced by masonry works in a second stage; it was rebuilt between 1368 and 1378 because it required a lot of repairs. The town of Perpignan grows and becomes a big city, so a permanent volume of water is required for the construction of many buildings, roads and economic needs...