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All Mexico Santiago de Querétaro Querétaro Aqueduct

Querétaro Aqueduct

A beautiful example of 18th-century engineering still standing tall.

Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

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Eduardo Noriega
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Querétaro Aqueduct   noriega101 / Atlas Obscura User
Looking at the aqueduct towards Querétaro’s new developments   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
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Arches of the aqueduct   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the middle of Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico, sits an amazing feat of engineering that provided water to the city starting in 1738. Its construction started just 12 years earlier on the orders of Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana, Marquis of Villa del Águila. With 75 massive arches, the tallest of which stands at 75 feet (23 meters), the aqueduct was utilized to bring clean drinking water to the city.

The construction of the aqueduct, built out of pink cantera stone and rubble-work, was the result of a series of incidents of Queretanos becoming ill from drinking unclean water. However, according to local folklore, the Marquis’s decision to fund and design the aqueduct was truly motivated by his love for a Capuchin nun by the name of Sister Marcela (sometimes called Clarissa).

However, the Marquis was married at the time and Sister Marcela was committed to the convent of Santa Clara. Their love was not to be. Regardless, as a tribute to his love, he constructed the aqueduct to the great benefit of Querétaro’s population.

The actual construction of the aqueduct was mostly done by Chichimeca and Otomí indigenous workers. The water was sourced from the Ojo de Agua del Capulín spring located in the town of San Pedro de la Cañada, nearly 6 miles (10 kilometers) away from the center of Querétaro. Nowadays, the aqueduct no longer carries water but is a distinct heritage and tourist attraction of Querétaro. It's also part of the UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses the historic city center.

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Due to its total length of almost 1.3 kilometers, the aqueduct can be appreciated at any time of day and from many points across the city. In the historic center, one can even drive under some of the tallest arches.

A good place from which to view the arches, especially at sunset, is the terrace on Ejército Republicano street, near the Panteón cemetery, behind Plaza Fundadores.

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Added By

noriega101

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FrustratedFormerContributor, linkogecko

  • FrustratedFormerContributor
  • linkogecko

Published

August 21, 2019

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  • https://www.queretaro.travel/en
  • https://queretaro10.com/turismo/los-arcos-de-queretaro-el-acueducto/
Querétaro Aqueduct
Calz de los Arcos
Santiago de Querétaro, 76020
Mexico
20.596175, -100.373054
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Nearby Places

Convento de la Santa Cruz (Convent of Santa Cruz)

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miles away

Santiago Carbonell Foundation-Museum

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Santiago de Querétaro

Santiago de Querétaro

Mexico

Places 11

Nearby Places

Convento de la Santa Cruz (Convent of Santa Cruz)

Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

miles away

Santiago Carbonell Foundation-Museum

Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

miles away

Zacatecana House Museum

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Santiago de Querétaro

Santiago de Querétaro

Mexico

Places 11

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