Europe Explored » bridge over the river https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Aqueduct Pont du Gard – ancient Roman aqueduct bridge in Provence, France https://europeexplored.com/2011/08/04/aqueduct-pont-du-gard-ancient-roman-aqueduct-bridge-in-provence-france/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/08/04/aqueduct-pont-du-gard-ancient-roman-aqueduct-bridge-in-provence-france/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:27:07 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4734 The basic requirement of life is water and regular water supply and its transport is an absolute necessity for a living. Since ancient times people knew this and tried to transport it as easy as it was possible to the human houses – so they began to build aqueducts. Most impressive and largest aqueduct at […]

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The basic requirement of life is water and regular water supply and its transport is an absolute necessity for a living. Since ancient times people knew this and tried to transport it as easy as it was possible to the human houses – so they began to build aqueducts.

Most impressive and largest aqueduct at that time was undoubtedly the Pont du Gard in Provence, in southern France. It dates from Roman times – was built 2000 years ago. It is not only beneficial structure, but also an architectural gem. It can certainly be called wonder of the ancient world. This building has been preserved almost in working conditions until today.

Aqueduct transferred water from the Eure spring to the wells in Nimes (48 km). Noteworthy is that the height difference between spring and wells is only 17 m, which proves truly outstanding calculations of the whole system.

A part of the aqueduct is a huge, three-storey bridge over the river Gard, which is also the most interesting part. The bridge is 275 meters long, 49 meters high and at the highest part it is 3 meters wide. It consists of three rows of arches – the arcades. Blocks of stone are embedded into each other with millimeter accuracy while no fasteners were used.

At the time of the Roman Empire the city of Nimes had approximately 50 000 inhabitants. Aqueduct was able to supply about 400 liters of water daily for each person.

The bridge is now a major tourist attraction and one of the most visited monuments in France with more than 2 million tourists per year. In 1985 it was included in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can even stay in camping which is situated right bellow the Aqueduct.


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Adare – the most beautiful village in Ireland https://europeexplored.com/2011/06/10/adare-the-most-beautiful-village-in-ireland/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/06/10/adare-the-most-beautiful-village-in-ireland/#comments Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:01:23 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4412 Adare is regarded as being the most beautiful village in the whole Ireland. It is located in the western part of the country on the banks of the River Maigue, about 20 km from the city of Limerick. Today, it has approx. 2,000 residents. Historical monuments Adare is a quaint village that inspires everyone. Its […]

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Adare is regarded as being the most beautiful village in the whole Ireland. It is located in the western part of the country on the banks of the River Maigue, about 20 km from the city of Limerick. Today, it has approx. 2,000 residents.

Historical monuments
Adare is a quaint village that inspires everyone. Its main street is surrounded by a neat stone buildings with beautiful thatched roofs. There are also some preserved remains of religious buildings such as Trinity Church and two abbeys. Above the bridge over the river you can see the remains of the Desmond castle from the 13th century.

Tourist services and entertainment
Adare has very good, though not too wide range of accommodation and in total there are 9 restaurants. The village is suitable also for golf players as there is an internationally known golf course Adare Golf. Those who would like to relax can visit the local park.


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The most important event in the village is Adare Village Festival. It takes place at the beginning of July. During the festival you can enjoy musical performances and taste of Irish specialties. It includes also a program for children, live music, theatre, food and craft markets, art and heritage exhibitions.

History
Adare is an ancient village, and experienced its biggest boom in the Middle Ages, when it was an important market place. It boasted three monasteries and already mentioned Desmond Castle.

Adare won the first place in national Irish Tidy Towns Competition in 1976.


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