The Romans are famous for their fantastic engineering. They built so much across the Mediterranean Sea over their long history of being one of the most powerful and enduring empires in history. One of the best examples of Roman engineering is the Pont du Gard in southern France. But if one is in Northern England, be sure to visit the impressive Hadrian's Wall and the well excavated Roman Fort of Vindoalanda.
The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge spanning the rover Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard. It was built in the first century AD and so has stood for around 2,000 years and is one of the best-preserved of the Roman aqueduct bridges. It has been a tourist attraction in France now for hundreds of years.
About The Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard is built in three tiers of arches with are made of Shelly limestone. The full aqueduct spanned for 31 miles or 50 kilometers bringing water to the fountains, homes, and baths of Nimes. Its Engineering is nothing short of a marvel. It is so precise that it only had an average grade of 1 cm (or 0.39 Inches) for 182.4 meters of 598 feet.
- Aquaduct Length: 31 Miles or 50 Kilometers (Full Aquaduct)
- Bridge Length: 360 Meters at Its Longest Point On The Top
- Total Weight: 50,000 Tons
- Arches: 6 On The Lowest Level, 11 On The Second Level, And 35 On The Third (Top) Level
- Record: The Highest Of All Roman Aqueduct Bridges
- Height: 160 Feet or 48.8 Meters
- Capacity: Estimated To Have Carried 40,000 m3 or 8,800,000 Imperial Gallons
- Stones: Some Weigh About 6 Tons And Were Hoisted 40 Meters High
It was used for hundreds of years and potentially could have been used for more if it was properly maintained after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Maintenance declined along with the declining Western Roman Empire after the 4th century. This led to clogging and debris that eventually stopped the flow of water. Parts of the aqueduct may have been in use long after the fall of the Western Roman Empire as late as the 6th century.
- Listed: UNESCO Listed Since 1985 For Its Exceptional Historical Importance, Architectural Ingenuity, and Superb Preservation
While it ceased to carry water it continued in its other secondary function as a toll bridge. For centuries the local lords and bishops would collect tolls for those using the bridge and in turn, they kept it maintained (as a bridge). But in time some of its stone blocks were looted in the 17th century. But fortunately, by the 18th century, it was becoming a tourist attraction and received a number of renovations in the 18th and 21st centuries.
Visiting The Pont du Gard Today
Today it boasts a visitor center and traffic has been banned from it. It is one of France's most popular tourist attractions (and France has many attractions like the impressive tidal Castle Isle of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy). Today France is full of impressive Roman ruins - southern France formed one of Roman's oldest and one of the most important provinces. But few Roman ruins here compare to the Pont du Gard.
- Opening Times: The Site Is Open 7 Days a Week, Year Round - Although The Hours Vary By Season
- Note: As Of The Time Of Writing The Site is Closed From January to April - Possibly Due To The Pandemic
- Admission: Includes Entry To The Museum, Ludo, Mémoires de Garrigue, Cinema, Exhibition
- Adult: From €9.50
- Child: €6
- Under 6: Free
- Dining: There Are Restaurant-Cafeterias On Both Sides Of The River
Museum of the Pont du Gard
The accompanying museum of the Pont du Gard is a must for those visiting. It is situated on the left bank and provides visitors with a trip through the ages. It immerses one right in the heart of the ancient Roman world and their skillful hand at feats of engineering.
- Museum of the Pont du Gard: Retraces The History Of The Aqueduct's Construction And Function In The Roman Times And More
One can spend anything from an hour to half a day in this museum and one can even get a tour. Note the museum is closed for maintenance every Monday morning and for a couple of weeks in January.
Long after the Roman Empire has fallen, their impressive aqueduct still stands proud. The Romans loved their city way of life - with their conveniences like public baths. Public baths and the like were a core part of Roman identity and all the cities and forts had them. They would sometimes need to construct aqueducts like this to supply them with water. Perhaps the most iconic Roman baths today are the baths at Bath in England.