The Segovia Aqueduct was constructed in AD 50 and is the best preserved Roman Aqueduct in Europe. It was used as a water source well into the twentieth century. Underground, the workings of the aqueduct extend for 14 km from the mountains to the old city. The old city features Romanesque churches, a cathedral and a fortress and, together with the aqueduct, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. Above ground, 120 Roman pillars support a two-storey arcade.
Site Representative Pablo Longoria, Project Manager at WMF Spain, tells us how the Watch is working with local and regional governments to safeguard the future of the Segovia Aqueduct.
“WMF has successfully worked with the regional government in the past on the restoration of the Colegiata de Toro and the Cartuja de Miraflores in Burgos. In this instance, it was the municipality that nominated the aqueduct to the Watch list. There should be no problem in implementing a management plan with the collaboration of both governments.
The real challenge comes in making Segovians aware of the protection the aqueduct needs in its entirety, including the underground canal that collects the water in the mountains and ends up in the Alcazar; and how they must adapt their habits to ensure its conservation and fight against urban development´s aggression to the monument and surrounding landscape.”
How has the WMF Watch helped:
“A team was put in place to identify the needs of the site, by WMF, but delays have prevented the management plan from being started. Thanks to UNESCO and World Monuments Fund support, however, the regional government has agreed to collaborate in the management plan proposed and the plan and conservation works are set to commence in 2009.” Read more
About the project
A €6 million restoration of the aqueduct was carried out by the regional government between 1992-96. However, the restoration was only carried out on the 1.4km of the structure which exists above ground. Large sections of the aqueduct run into the mountains underground which were partly destroyed two years ago when building works for a train route were given the go ahead. There is no legal protection to the underground. Read more
The listing of Segovia as one of the world’s ‘100 Most Endangered Sites’ brought about positive outcomes and has delivered international publicity.
Listing has also created a public conscience and an awareness of the problems that face Segovia’s world monument. We can now move forward and preserve it for the future.
Pablo Longoria, Project Manager at WMF Spain
How to apply for Watch listing
For further information on the 2010 Watch List or to discuss your site for 2010 nomination, please contact us at WMF Britain.
World Monuments Watch
To view the current Watch List and to learn more about its impact worldwide, visit www.worldmonumentswatch.org
Watch Listing: 2006
Threats
- Lack of maintenance;
- Water leakage from the upper viaduct;
- Pollution;
- The granite masonry is deteriorating causing the structure to become unstable;
- Damage from bird and bat nesting and biological growth;
- Urban development pressure that may damage the surrounding landscape;
- A comprehensive management plan remains to be implemented;
- Lack of protection for the aqueduct as a whole, comprising the underground construction up to the mountains (part of it was recently destroyed);
- Lack of collaboration between the municipal and central government of Segovia and the regional authorities;
- Social practices which endanger the monument, such as parking, public concerts, people walking on the top and students from the military academy who descend on ropes once a year.
Viability
- Some preservation remedies have been addressed as part of recent restoration efforts;
- Support from World Monuments Fund Spain. A WMF team has proposed a management plan but it remains to be fully implemented.
