The Valdealas Aqueduct is a hydraulic structure on the Northern Branch of the Castile Canal, located in the municipality of Osorno la Mayor (Palencia), at kilometer marker 43.030. Built between 1759 and 1804, it is part of the grand Enlightenment project that transformed the region through a complex network of infrastructure for water management and the improvement of internal communications. Its significance lies in the clarity of its function and the simplicity of its design, representative of the canal’s engineering.
The structure extends the Canal de Castilla over the Valdealas stream by means of a single semicircular arch, with an approximate span of 5.40 meters and a height of 2.50 meters. The entire structure reaches a length of approximately 6.40 meters, with maximum dimensions of 25.90 meters in width and 7.60 meters in height. It features flared wing walls that facilitate water channeling and reinforce the structure’s stability. It is built entirely of limestone ashlar, a material that provides strength, durability, and harmonious integration with the landscape. The original parapets have been replaced by stone markers, maintaining a simple and uncluttered appearance.
The Valdealas Aqueduct is a point of interest along the Canal de Castilla route, where you can appreciate a discreet but essential work, fully integrated into the rural landscape and perfect for understanding the technical and territorial dimension of this historic infrastructure.
