Aqueduto romano de Conímbriga

Aqueduto romano de Conímbriga is an ancient water system in Condeixa-a-Velha that extends over several kilometers, running mostly underground through concrete and limestone channels. The structure includes a visible arch emerging from the fortress wall and a preserved water tower that still stands at Alcabideque.

The aqueduct was built in the first century AD under Emperor Augustus and supplied water to the Roman city of Conimbriga. The system operated until the fifth century when the city declined and the structure was no longer maintained.

The aqueduct demonstrates Roman engineering through water tanks and distribution systems visible to visitors today. The carefully designed structures for water transport and storage reveal how the ancient city managed its daily water supply.

You can best explore the system by visiting the preserved arch at the fortress wall and the structures at Alcabideque, where the original water source remains visible with its tower. The location allows walkers to trace portions of the underground channels and observe the scattered remains distributed across the site.

The water source begins at a deep well covered by a vaulted tower structure that stands about 7 meters (23 feet) tall at Alcabideque. This remarkable tower design shows how Romans protected and controlled their water supply at its source.