Cornalvo Dam, Ancient Roman dam in Cornalvo Natural Park, Spain
Cornalvo Dam is a Roman water management structure that spans 194 meters in length and reaches 28 meters in height, built with stone facing and Roman concrete methods. The construction sits within a natural landscape and reveals the engineering techniques Romans applied to water infrastructure.
The dam was built between the first and second centuries AD to supply water to Emerita Augusta, the Roman settlement that later became Mérida. This water infrastructure proved essential to the city's growth and continued survival through the centuries.
The structure is part of Mérida's archaeological ensemble and remains a testament to how Romans managed water resources for their city. Seeing it today helps visitors understand the practical needs that shaped urban life in ancient times.
You can reach the dam through Cornalvo Natural Park, which has a visitor center with information about the Roman structure and surroundings. The site is easy to explore on foot from the park's main areas.
The dam continues to serve its original purpose after two thousand years, demonstrating the durability of Roman construction techniques. This working water structure is a rare example of ancient engineering that remains functionally relevant today.
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