Pont du Gard in Nimes (France) - Roman Aqueduct

The aqueduct on the River Gard is 49 meters high and 27 meters wide.

It was part of a 48-kilometer aqueduct that supplied the city of Nimes with water. The difference in the height of this aqueduct at both ends is only 17 meters. A large part of the aqueduct is located underground. The aqueduct was very carefully and accurately built, had a small drop, 1 meter by 3 km long, so that the water could run down.

It is estimated that daily Pont du Gard supplied the city of Nimes with 50,000 inhabitants in 400 liters of water per person.

On the first level there is a road, on the second level for pedestrians, and the third level, high on 1.8 m, wide on 1.2 m and inclined under from 0.4%, water was transported.

There are 6 arches on the first floor, 11 on the first floor and 35 on the third floor.

Three levels were built of stone, without mortar. During the construction, the blocks were supported by scaffolding.

Only one of the six lower arches connects the banks of the river, the arches of individual storeys are not identical. The bridge does not cross the river at an angle of 90 °, but it runs slightly bent, against the current of water.