The Pont du Gard in Ancient Rome

The Pont du Gard is located in the northeast of Nîmes, the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, about twenty kilometers by car, spanning the Gardon River in a valley with a three-tiered stone arch structure. The top level is 275 meters long in total, with a height of 49 meters. In 19-20 BC, during the reign of Augustus in Ancient Rome, Nîmes had already formed a city of considerable size. At that time, there was a slight water source locally in Nîmes, but the city's water supply was far from enough to meet the needs of the residents' daily use. Water had to be brought in from mountain sources fifty kilometers away to ensure a constant flow into the city by maintaining a certain height of the water source. It is said that today, within the old city walls of Nîmes, one can still see a circular pool, sedimentation tanks, and sluices. To cross the Gardon River along the way, the Pont du Gard was created. The bridge is built with local limestone, and the first level serves as a bridge for traffic, which, by the standards of the time, could accommodate open-top two-wheeled carriages and pedestrians. The upper level is a water channel, which can now be seen as covered. Many sections of the entire aqueduct are underground, with water being drawn from cave channels. The connections of the water channels can be seen in the caves, which are more than one person tall and allow two people to walk side by side. This type of stone arch bridge would still be considered a significant project even with today's lifting machinery and technical strength. It would be quite difficult to construct even today. Given the conditions of the time, quarrying, carving, and transportation were all done by manpower, and such a grand and spectacular project is admirable. It allows us to imagine that people's wisdom at the time was already very advanced. Of course, most of the ancient Roman buildings we see today have been preserved through years of repairs and maintenance in later periods, all using ancient methods, materials, and the original structure. Viewing it on-site, however, has a visual impact. That it has been preserved for over 2000 years despite weathering and erosion is a miracle in itself. In 1985, the Pont du Gard (Ancient Roman Aqueduct) was approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a cultural heritage and included in the 'World Heritage List'. There are not many buildings or others near the Pont du Gard, and there is no admission fee. There is a huge parking lot🅿️ at the entrance to the scenic area, but the parking fee is a bit expensive. Perhaps some fees can be relied upon to maintain the operation of the Pont du Gard. If you use public transportation, you can reach nearby villages and towns, about a few kilometers on foot. There are also tourists who drive themselves, parking their vehicles in the free parking lots of the villages and towns, and walking to the site. If you have the chance to visit the Provence area, don't miss this sight; it will not disappoint you.