GasmattMar 19
Rick Gaehl

The Pont du Gard is one of my favourite Roman artefacts anywhere. Built in the first century CE, this elevated aqueduct was constructed without mortar, and is about 275 m long and 50 m high. The total fall across the structure is only 2.5 cm - it truly is an engineering marvel. The protuding stones were used in construction to secure formwork and scaffolding.

#Photography #History #Architecture #Romans #Engineering #France

Mar 19 at 10:40amWeb
Show threadMarcos DioneMar 19
@RickGaehl if you can, go to Segovia, best without looking pictures first.
Show threadRick GaehlMar 19

@mdione

Is that this one? If so, I was apparently there in 1980 🙄. It's a wonderful structure but the setting can't compare with the Pont du Gard.

Show threadMarcos DioneMar 19
@RickGaehl ... you probably didn't do the old town, then :)
Show threadRick GaehlMar 19
@mdione It was a long. long time ago. The aqueduct has stuck in my mind, but the old town, not so much. 😊
Show threadMarcos DioneMar 19
@RickGaehl hint: they say Disney got inspiration there, but it was more probably Neuschwanstein.
Show threadRick GaehlMar 19
@mdione 😂
Show threadHarry WoodMar 19
@RickGaehl Love to visit Pont Du Gard. It's an impressive Roman construction, and also a lovely place to go for a swim!
Show threadRick GaehlMar 19
@harry_wood Indeed it is! Last time we were there, we took a canoe along the river and then paddled under it. Magical. And to make it even better, there were kingfishers everywhere.
Show threadStuMar 19
@RickGaehl I didn't know what you meant by total fall across the structure until I read the wiki page, then the enormity of that number sank in. That's astonishing. Thanks for sharing.
Show threadRick GaehlMar 19
@tehstu It's amazing engineering, isn't it? ☺️
Show threadKevin RussellMar 19

@RickGaehl

Look at the people on the lower level, see the scale of this Marvel. 2000 years ago they built it without mortar and the slope across the entire structure, note scale again, to keep water flowing is a smaller angle than most of the pictures you've hung in the living room.

Did Rome celebrate its engineers as geniuses and heroes like it did generals?

Show threadRick GaehlMar 19
@kevinrns I know - it's truly enormous. I don't think the Romans lauded anyone as much as generals, but engineers and architects were pretty well-respected - and often lived much longer lives. 😉
Show threadKevin RussellMar 19

@RickGaehl

Ha.