Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tually jump from the aqueduct's lower bridge—not knowing that crazy winds scrambled
by the structure cause painful belly flops (and sometimes even accidental deaths). For the
most refreshing view, float flat on your back underneath the structure.
The appearance of the entire gorge changed in 2002, when a huge flood flushed
lots of greenery downstream. Those floodwaters put Roman provisions to the test. Notice
the triangular-shaped buttresses at the lower level—designed to split and divert the force
of any flood
around
the feet of the arches rather than
into
them. The 2002 floodwaters
reached the top of those buttresses. Anxious park rangers winced at the sounds of trees
crashing onto the ancient stones...but the arches stood strong.
The stones that jut out—giving the aqueduct a rough, unfinished appear-
ance—supported the original scaffolding. The protuberances were left, rather than cut off,
in anticipation of future repair needs. The lips under the arches supported wooden tem-
plates that allowed the stones in the round arches to rest on something until the all-im-
portant keystone was dropped into place. Each stone weighs four to six tons. The structure
stands with no mortar (except at the very top, where the water flowed)—taking full ad-
vantage of the innovative Roman arch, made strong by gravity.
