The Valdegara Aqueduct is a hydraulic structure on the Northern Branch of the Castile Canal, located in the municipality of Lantadilla (Palencia), at kilometer 44.630. Built between 1759 and 1804, it forms part of the grand Enlightenment project that transformed the Meseta Central plateau through a network of infrastructure designed to organize the land and manage water efficiently. 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 over the Valdegara stream by means of a single semicircular arch, with an approximate span of 5 meters and a height of 3.70 meters. The entire structure reaches a length of nearly 7 meters, with maximum dimensions of 26.40 meters in width and 10.70 meters in height. It features stone wing walls that channel the flow of water and reinforce the structure’s stability. It is built entirely of limestone ashlar, a material commonly used on the Canal de Castilla due to its strength and durability. The original parapets have been replaced by stone markers, maintaining a simple and uncluttered appearance.
The Valdegara Aqueduct offers a peaceful stop along the Canal de Castilla route, where you can enjoy the rural landscape and understand how these discreet but essential works made possible one of the great historical infrastructures of Castile.
