A new photography exhibition showcasing Portugal’s many beautiful aqueducts has been inaugurated at Portimão Museum, where it will remain on display until March 26.
The photos were taken by museologist Pedro Inácio who began photographing the country’s aqueducts in 2007 as part of a research project which culminated in the launch of his own book in 2021.
Entitled ‘Património Cultural da Água – Roteiro de Aquedutos’ (Cultural Heritage of Water – Route of Aqueducts), the book was published by Mafra Council with the backing of the National UNESCO Commission and EPAL Water Museum.
“Most of these old gravity flow water supply systems date back to the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries,” says Portimão Council, adding that some of them are considered World Heritage (such as the aqueducts of Elvas, Évora, Mafra and Tomar).
“Through Pedro Inácio’s photographs, we explore one of the most relevant examples of our historical and cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of these ancient and hydraulic monuments to humanity,” adds the council.
Describing aqueducts as “evidence of our cultural heritage”, Portimão council says they are proof of the human ingenuity.
“Their preservation is vitally important. Aqueducts are an interesting feature of many regions of Portugal and should be promoted in terms of their cultural and tourism value, but also as a tribute to the humans’ ability to find solutions to supply water to populations,” the council adds.
Pedro Inácio was born in Lisbon and has a university degree in Historical Sciences, as well as a Master’s degree in Museology and Heritage. He works at EPAL’s Water Museum and has published several works based on his research.
The exhibition can be visited on Tuesday between 2.30pm and 6pm and Wednesday through Sunday between 10am and 6pm.
