Pont du Gard

Roman engineering · ancient architecture · France

Built by Romans. The Pont du Gard was constructed in the first century AD as part of a massive water delivery system. It helped bring fresh water over 50 kilometers to the Roman city of Nemausus, which we now call Nîmes.

Three levels tall. The bridge has three tiers of arches stacked on top of each other, making it taller than a 12-story building. This engineering design allowed water to flow smoothly across the Gardon River while staying strong enough to hold its weight.

Aqueduct for water. Unlike modern bridges that carry cars, the Pont du Gard carried water in a channel along its top. Roman engineers designed it this way so gravity could pull water downhill across long distances to cities that needed it.

Incredibly well preserved. The Pont du Gard is one of the best preserved Roman aqueduct bridges in the entire world, which is why UNESCO made it a World Heritage site in 1985. People can still see it standing strong after nearly 2,000 years.

Located in France. You can visit the Pont du Gard today in southern France near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard. Thousands of visitors go there every year to marvel at this incredible feat of ancient engineering.