Pegões Aqueduct
The aqueduct of the Convento de Cristo, or Pegões, was designed at the beginning of the reign of Filipe I with the aim of carrying water from four different sp...
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The aqueduct of the Convento de Cristo, or Pegões, was designed at the beginning of the reign of Filipe I with the aim of carrying water from four different springs, located on the outskirts of the city of Tomar, to the convent. Since its construction, the convent house in Tomar had an "elaborated system" of water supply, formed by a series of cisterns, opened in the main cloisters that were filled with rainwater.
During his stay in Portugal, after being acclaimed Portuguese king in the city's courts, Filipe I decided to expand the water supply of the Convento de Cristo, thus verifying the need to build an aqueduct, in a structure similar to those that had been built in Elvas and Évora, the model being repeated a few years later in the Vila do Conde aqueduct, which supplied the Santa Clara Convent. The design of the aqueduct was executed in 1584 by Filippo Terzi, the main architect of the Kingdom, and the work began in 1593. After the architect's death, the direction of the building works was transferred to Pedro Fernandes de Torres. However, the first phase of the work would only be completed in 1614, when Filipe II came to Portugal and inaugurated the work, as indicated by the inscription engraved on the aqueduct. The aqueduct extends over about 6 kilometers, comprising a total of 180 round arches, which in the steepest area, over the Pegões valley, rest on a set of 16 broken arches. At the ends of the structure, two water sources were built, topped on the outside by domes, and which in the vaulted interior house a large basin for the purification of water. Reaching the convent fence, the aqueduct ended up in an irrigation tank, next to which was placed a Latin inscription referring to the execution of the work. In 1616, with the direction of the works already handed over to Diogo Marques Lucas, the channeling of the aqueduct was extended to the convent building, reaching the lavatory of the dormitories the following year, and reaching the source of the main cloister in 1619, when it was completed the work.
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During his stay in Portugal, after being acclaimed Portuguese king in the city's courts, Filipe I decided to expand the water supply of the Convento de Cristo, thus verifying the need to build an aqueduct, in a structure similar to those that had been built in Elvas and Évora, the model being repeated a few years later in the Vila do Conde aqueduct, which supplied the Santa Clara Convent. The design of the aqueduct was executed in 1584 by Filippo Terzi, the main architect of the Kingdom, and the work began in 1593. After the architect's death, the direction of the building works was transferred to Pedro Fernandes de Torres. However, the first phase of the work would only be completed in 1614, when Filipe II came to Portugal and inaugurated the work, as indicated by the inscription engraved on the aqueduct. The aqueduct extends over about 6 kilometers, comprising a total of 180 round arches, which in the steepest area, over the Pegões valley, rest on a set of 16 broken arches. At the ends of the structure, two water sources were built, topped on the outside by domes, and which in the vaulted interior house a large basin for the purification of water. Reaching the convent fence, the aqueduct ended up in an irrigation tank, next to which was placed a Latin inscription referring to the execution of the work. In 1616, with the direction of the works already handed over to Diogo Marques Lucas, the channeling of the aqueduct was extended to the convent building, reaching the lavatory of the dormitories the following year, and reaching the source of the main cloister in 1619, when it was completed the work.
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Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Aperture f/22 ISO 400 Shutter 1/100 Focal Length 17/1 
Tomar, Santarem, PT
Aug, 2021Views
283
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Winner in aqueducts Photo Challenge
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Peer Award
Superb Composition
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mariekuskivieira
August 12, 2022
Many congrats Nuno for winning my challenge with this amazing photo!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in a very unique aqueduct, the Pegões Aqueduct, near Tomar, Portugal.Time
This was taken on May 12, 2007 at 5:01 pm.Lighting
The light was a bit strong because it was still afternoon but allowed me to catch quite good the arches of the aqueduct mingled in the landscape.Equipment
This was shot in a Canon 400D, with a, 17-85 mm f74-5.6 IS USM lens.Inspiration
Old historic buildings or old architecture are always challenging to shoot and such a magnificent work or art couldn't be left alone without me trying to capture it with my camera.Editing
I did some changes in levels and contrast and exposure.In my camera bag
My camera bag now has a Canon EOS 30D, a Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM and a MTL 9251B Giottos Tripod.Feedback
Adevnture yourself to take some photos of these work of art because they deserve it, it's really amazing what they built back then.
