Aqueduto de Santa Clara
The Aqueduto de Santa Clara in Vila do Conde is the second longest aqueduct system in Portugal. It brings water to a fountain in the Santa Clara Convent in Vila do Conde from a fresh water spring in Póvoa de Varzim.
History
The granite structure took nearly 100 years to complete with work beginning in 1626 and completed only in 1714. However, most of the construction actually took place between 1705 and 1714. The earlier efforts were abandoned after faults in the design and fell into ruin.
Various architects and builders worked on the project over the years including Manuel Pinho Villa Lobos and Domingos Moreira.
It has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.
Dimensions
Altogether the aqueduct stretches around 4-5 km from the spring of Terroso in Póvoa de Varzim to the Convent of Santa Clara in Vila do Conde, though heavily fragmented in places.
There were once supposedly 999 arches altogether with the structure reaching a height of some 20 meters in places.
Access
Vila do Conde is no longer connected by railway but the former railway line is now the Porto metro Line B. Trains take just under 1 hour and continue to Póvoa de Varzim at the end of the line. Get off at Santa Clara or Vila do Conde.
By car, take the IC1/A28 highway north from Porto to Vila do Conde. The A7 highway connects to Guimarães and Vila Nova de Famalicão and the A11 to Braga and Barcelos.
Map of Vila do Conde
Accommodation in Vila do Conde
Vila do Conde has some recommended places to stay including the 3-star Hotel Brazao, the Hospedaria Venceslau, a budget guesthouse, Casa de Santo Amaro and the 4-star Santanahotel & Spa, located south of the River Ave.
See here for a full listing of hotel accommodation in Vila do Conde.
