Photo 1: Le Pont du Gard from the banks of the Gardon
Today we jump to another part of the world, let’s go to Provence (France). During a holiday in 2016 we stop in Arles. We dedicate this day to visiting one of the monuments that occupied my childhood fantasies. In the elementary school book to illustrate France there were three images, the Eiffel Tower, the Mont Saint Michel, the Pont du Garde. I have already visited the first two, I only miss the famous Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard.
It is July 15 and it is the day after the Nice massacre with 84 deaths from a bomber with a truck, I absolutely have no desire to queue to find parking and I want to avoid crowds as much as possible. I find the possibility to park along a road from where a path starts not far away that descends the hill to the bank of the Gardon river and to the bridge. I guessed the right way, it passes alongside the remains of the ancient Roman aqueduct with its arches and consequently leads to the bridge. The aqueduct brought water to Nimes from a spring. Think what the ancients knew how to do: the aqueduct has a length of 50 km, but the source was only 17 meters above Nimes, that is to say that the average slope is 34 centimeters per kilometer, unbelievable! The bridge is about 50 meters high and has 3 arches, the top had a conduit through which the water passed, while above the first series of arches there is a road still passable by pedestrians. Its view is impressive from the banks of the Gardon and I realize that I am lucky to have always been curious and attentive at school. My teacher was able to instill in me the desire for knowledge, to never be satisfied with knowing and that the world is full of beauties to see and enjoy.
Equally beautiful is the view from above the bridge, despite everything it is celebrated by swimming or paddling in a canoe. Walking over or under the bridge you realize the imposing limestone with which it was built in 17 BC, without the aid of mortar or other adhesives, they are only stone by stone, some of which weigh more than 6 tons. We still have to marvel at the ingenuity of those who built these wonderful works and it is up to us to preserve them in order to enjoy them for future generations.
Photo 2: The remains of the Roman aqueduct on the path towards the Pont du Gard
Photo 3: The remains of the Roman aqueduct on the path towards the Pont du Gard
Photo 4: The Pont du Gard
Photo 5: the Pont du Gard beach
Photo 6: second and third level of the Pont du Gard
Photo 7: the road that passes over the first level of the Pont du Gard
Photo 8: view of the Gardon river from the Pont du Gard
Photo 9: the limestone blocks that make up the Pont du Gard
Photo 10: the limestone blocks that make up the Pont du Gard
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