Aqueduct of São Sebastião

The Aqueduct of São Sebastião, in Coimbra

The Aqueduct of São Sebastião is an imposing work of Coimbra, of Roman origin, which carried the water towards the upper town. The Coimbra audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this historic structure, restored in the sixteenth century, a witness of ancient ingenuity.

The Roman work restored in the Renaissance

Between the foliage and the passing cars rises the imposing silhouette of the Aqueduct of São Sebastião, with its long row of arches. The original structure was built at the time of ancient Rome, when it was sought to carry the water to the upper town of Coimbra, perched on its hill. But over the successive conquests of the town by the Christians and the Moors of North Africa, the work fell into ruin and was no more than a field of stones. It was necessary to wait until 1583, shortly after the death of King Sebastian I, for the aqueduct to finally recover all its splendour, thanks to an important reconstruction. With its elegant arches that punctuate the landscape, it testifies both to the hydraulic genius of the Romans and to the care brought to its restoration. An ancient vestige and an emblematic monument, the Aqueduct of São Sebastião is a fine stop of the discovery of Coimbra.

What to see

You admire the imposing silhouette of the aqueduct with its long row of arches, of Roman origin, which carried the water towards the upper town, fallen into ruin over the conquests then restored in 1583 shortly after the death of Sebastian I, a witness of the ancient hydraulic genius. The Aqueduct of São Sebastião is an emblematic monument of Coimbra. It is a stop to be discovered, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Aqueduct of São Sebastião lies in Coimbra, near the Jardim Botânico, reachable on foot. It is an open-air monument, freely visible from the public space. You discover it during a walk in the district of the university.

What is the origin of the Aqueduct of São Sebastião in Coimbra?

Its original structure was built at the time of ancient Rome to carry the water towards the upper town; fallen into ruin over the conquests of the town, it was restored in 1583, shortly after the death of King Sebastian I, then recovering all its splendour.

Where is the Aqueduct of São Sebastião of Coimbra?

In Coimbra, near the Jardim Botânico, in Portugal.