The water collecting system of the Sete Fontes, Braga (4th-20th century)

Abstract

The collecting, conveying and use of water to serve the city of Braga was, over centuries, one of the elements that deserved special attention from the city governors, who wisely invested in the construction, expansion and maintenance of the hydraulic system, of which complexity and quality were maximized by building the hydraulic system of Sete Fontes (Seven Fountains), located about 5 km from the city centre. The archaeological work undertaken by the Unit of Archaeology of the University of Minho, between 2012 and 2015, allowed to significantly increase the knowledge of the constructive and architectural characteristics of these hydraulic structures which preserve elements of Roman, medieval, modern and contemporary times. It provides thus a unique testimony and example of the hydraulic engineering solutions and their constructive and architectural expressions in the long term, allowing us to call it a rarity in Portugal.