Brazil: Carioca Aqueduct, Rio de Janeiro

The aqueduct was built in the middle of the 18th century to bring fresh water from the Carioca River to the population of Rio de Janeiro. It is a typical example of colonial architecture and engineering.

Since at least 1602 there had been plans to build a system of canals to bring water from the source of the Carioca river, located on Santa Teresa hill, to Rio de Janeiro.

Construction of the first aqueduct was finished in 1723, and clean water flowed directly to a decorative Baroque fountain in Santo Antônio Square, to the relief of the people of Rio de Janeiro. The aqueduct was inaugurated in 1750.

The most impressive feature of the aqueduct is the course that connects the hills of Santa Teresa and Santo Antônio, in today's Lapa neighbourhood. This segment of the aqueduct spans 270 metres and consists of two storeys of monumental arches, 42 in total with a maximum height of 17.6 metres.