Check out the most impressive arches and aqueducts in the world
- Historical arches and aqueducts are masterpieces that have become symbols of many major cities around the world. But in the past, they served other purposes.
Most arches were constructed to honor victories by empires or simply as decoration. Aqueducts had a practical use—they helped pass water to cities and fuel its people.
In this gallery we present to you the most incredible and impressive arches and aqueducts on the planet. Click through this gallery and check it out!
Arch of Constantine, Italy
- This majestic arch was built in Rome at the behest of the Roman Senate to honor the Emperor Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. The monument is located next to the Roman Coliseum.
Arc de Triomphe, France
- This incredible arch is located in Paris and was built by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 to pay homage to his military victories. The monument is located on Charles de Gaulle Square near Champs-Elysees and was inaugurated in 1836.
Aqueduct of Segovia, Spain
- It is believed that this monument was built by the Romans around the 1st century AD. It is one of the oldest and most well-preserved aqueducts left by the empire.
Amoreira Aqueduct, Portugal
- Located in Elvas, this magnificent aqueduct is about 8.5 km long and has more than five arches that rise up to 31 m. Construction ended around 1620 and it was then that water entered inside the walls of the city for the first time. Today, this monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Acueducto de los Milagros, Spain
- This is another beautiful Roman aqueduct and also one of the best preserved structures of the Iberian Peninsula. It is situated in the Spanish city of Mérida and is believed to have been built by the Romans around the first century AD.
Ferreres Aqueduct, Spain
- This impressive monument is more than 200 m long and carried water from the Francolí River to the Spanish city of Tarragona.
Arch of Titus, Italy
- This arch was built to honor the military victories of Titus, a former Roman emperor. This arch served as reference for several triumphal arches built after the 16th century, including the iconic Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Carioca Aqueduct, Brazil
- This impressive construction in Rio de Janeiro is also known as Lapa Arches. It is considered the largest architectural work undertaken in Brazil during the colonial period. Today, it is a picturesque spot that draws in tourists.
Valens Aqueduct, Turkey
- This is one of many historical sites in Istanbul. It was built around the 4th century and has since undergone several modifications. It is one of the best-preserved ancient historical remains in Turkey.
Gateway Arch, United States
- This ultra-sophisticated arch in St. Louis, Missouri was designed by the Finnish architect Eero Saarinen in 1947. It is 200 m high and was inaugurated in 1968. The monument is an iconic symbol of the city.
Pont du Gard, France
- This bridge is actually a portion of a Roman aqueduct situated in the south of France, near Remoulins, Uzes, and Nîmes. The remnants of the construction are a historical landmark that enchants tourists.
Águas Livres Aqueduct, Portugal
- This aqueduct was built by John V of Portugal in the 18th century. Today, it is a historical landmark that survived the 1755 earthquake.
Arch of Caracalla, Algeria
- The Arch of Caracalla is a Roman triumphal arch located in Djémila, Algeria. It is believed to have been built in the 3rd century in honor of Emperor Caracalla.
Arch of Trajan, Algeria
- The Arch of Trajan is a Roman triumphal monument located in the city of Timgad, near the province of Batna in Algeria. It was built sometime between the end of the 2nd and the beginning of the 3rd century.
Porte d'Aix, France
- This arch in Marseille was inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome and was built in the first quarter of the 19th century by Étienne-Jules Ramey and David D'Angers.
Ponte delle Torri, Italy
- More than 200 mlong and 76 m high, the Ponte delle Torri in Spoleto is a colossal piece of work with ten arches that connects Sant'Elia and Monteluco.
Arco de la Victoria, Spain
- The city of Madrid also has a triumphal arch. It was erected between 1953 and 1956 under the command of Francisco Franco with the purpose of celebrating the victory in the civil war.
Arch of Septimius Severus, Italy
- Located in the north-west corner of the Forum in Rome, this monumental Roman arch was built to commemorate the victories against the Parthians.
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, France
- This monument was erected around 1809 at the behest of Napoleon I. It is located at Carousel Square, near the Louvre museum in Paris.
Aqueduto da Água de Prata, Évora
- This incredible Renaissance work of hydraulic engineering was built with the purpose of supplying the Portuguese city of Évora with water. It was inaugurated in the year 1537 and built during the reign of John III of Portugal.
