Pont du Gard
May 14, Monday -
The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct over the river. It is believed to have been constructed in the middle of the first century A.D. Designed to carry water across the small Gardon river valley, it was part of a nearly 50 km system that went from springs near Uzès to the Roman city of Nemausus (Nîmes). It was constructed entirely without the use of mortar. The stones were precisely cut to fit perfectly together. Overtime it became unusable, and its stones were scavenged for other purposes. However, the majority of the Pont du Gard remained impressively intact. From the Middle Ages to the 18th century, the aqueduct was used as a foot bridge. In 1743, a new bridge was built next to the arches of the lower level, so that road traffic could cross.
Read MoreThe Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct over the river. It is believed to have been constructed in the middle of the first century A.D. Designed to carry water across the small Gardon river valley, it was part of a nearly 50 km system that went from springs near Uzès to the Roman city of Nemausus (Nîmes). It was constructed entirely without the use of mortar. The stones were precisely cut to fit perfectly together. Overtime it became unusable, and its stones were scavenged for other purposes. However, the majority of the Pont du Gard remained impressively intact. From the Middle Ages to the 18th century, the aqueduct was used as a foot bridge. In 1743, a new bridge was built next to the arches of the lower level, so that road traffic could cross.
