Acueducto de Amaniel

Can you imagine Madrid parched, desperate for water? The Acueducto de Amaniel whispers a tale of this thirst. In the mid-19th century, Madrid faced a water crisis. The city outgrew its medieval water systems. In 1848, Bravo Murillo, the Minister of Public Works, commissioned a study. The goal was to find a solution for the growing city’s water needs. The Acueducto de Amaniel stands as a testament to their ingenuity. The study recommended bringing water from the Lozoya River, over 70 kilometers away. This led to the creation of the Canal de Isabel II, inaugurated in 1858. The Acueducto de Amaniel, nestled in the Tetuán district, is a relic of this ambitious project. It carried water to the city center, fueling Madrid’s expansion. This 120-meter-long aqueduct-bridge boasts seventeen semi-circular arches, constructed with brick and granite. It’s a striking sight, documented by photographer Charles Clifford in 1858. Sadly, the construction of Pablo Iglesias Street partially buried the Acueducto de Amaniel, obscuring its full grandeur. In 2004, the city council proposed a tunnel project that threatened the aqueduct’s existence. Local outcry saved the Acueducto de Amaniel from demolition. Though partly hidden, it persists, a reminder of Madrid’s historical thirst and the innovative solution that quenched it. This Acueducto de Amaniel shouldn’t be confused with an earlier “Viaje de Amaniel,” built between 1614 and 1616 to supply the Royal Alcázar. They are distinct structures, each with its own unique story.