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Pont du Gard near Remoulins, France

August 1st, 2008 · No Comments

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If you are travelling in the southern part of France, a stop at the Pont du Gard is definitely a worthwhile diversion. This bridge, which is in fact an aqueduct, is reported to be considered by the Romans one of their finest architectural and technical achievements. It was built not long before Christ was born. Its primary purpose was to transport water utilizing a gradient system. There is no charge to see the Pont du Gard itself but there is a charge for parking if you are travelling by car.

Pont du Gard Details as per John Julius Norwich. The World Atlas of Architecture. p154.

This bridge, over the river Gard, is 275 metres (900 feet) long and 49 metres (160 feet) high. It was part of an aqueduct nearly 50 kilometres (30 miles) long which supplied Nimes with water. On its first level it carries a road and at the top of the third level, a water conduit, which is 1.8 metres (6 feet) high and 1.2 metres (4 feet) wide and has a gradient of 0.4 per cent. The three levels were built in dressed stone without mortar. The projecting blocks supported the scaffolding during construction.”

John Julius Norwich. The World Atlas of Architecture. p154.

Tags: Europe · France

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