Segovia Aqueduct, the legend of the water carrier and the devil
The Segovia Aqueduct is far more than a stone bridge: it is a living testament to Roman engineering and the millennia-long heartbeat of a city still drinking from its history.
Era and Construction
Built in the time of Trajan (late 1st–early 2nd c. AD), it is estimated to have taken twenty years to complete. Composed of over 20 000 dressed granite blocks assembled without mortar, the aqueduct spans open sections and underground channels from a mountain spring almost 17 km to the city centre.
Roman Engineering for Water
- Dams and reservoirs at the source regulate flow and settle sediment.
- Precise gradients ensure a constant, clean water supply by gravity alone.
- Monumental arches in the Plaza del Azoguejo: 167 arches up to 28 m high, forming the iconic “stone forest.”
The Legend of the Water Carrier
Tradition says a young woman, tired of carrying water jars, struck a deal with the devil to bring water to her door before dawn. He worked all night… until a rooster crowed, saving her soul and leaving a single block unplaced. Since then, Segovians bless the work to ward off evil.
The Aqueduct in the Urban Landscape
Its silhouette at sunrise or sunset turns Segovia into a living canvas. Walking beneath its arches—adorned with images of the Virgin and Saint Sebastian—you can almost hear history whisper.
Recommended Visits and Routes
- Plaza del Azoguejo: the most photographed section, perfect for admiring the arches.
- Outskirts section: guided routes to the Azud del Acueducto and ancient channels.
- Interpretation Centre in the former Casa de los Picos reservoir with audiovisual exhibits.
- Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Let yourself be seduced by stone and water in Segovia: every drop that flows through the aqueduct carries centuries of history and invites you to explore the city at the pace of its past.
How to get there
Decimal: 40.948056°, -4.117778°
DMS: 40°56'53" N, 4°7'04" O
