The Aqueduct of Querétaro, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, stands out not only as an emblematic work of viceregal hydraulic engineering, but also for the profound significance it held for the people of Querétaro since its construction in the 18th century.
Composed of 74 arches that reach an average height of 28.5 meters and extend for 1,298 meters, its original function was to supply water to the city. Today, it stands as one of the most representative symbols of the capital of Querétaro.
To commemorate the 300th anniversary of its construction, the municipal government has organized a massive celebration with free concerts.
With a municipal investment of 1.5 million pesos, the event will take place on Saturday, April 25, starting at 6:00 p.m. on the Calzada de los Arcos, where five stages will be set up with simultaneous performances.
The program will include folk, regional Mexican, rock, trova, and electronic music, featuring local artists such as Gabriela Bernal, Gerardo Urquiza, Juan Carreón, Paulina Izquierdo, Grupo Antología, Materia Dispuesta, and La Voz Gemela de Juan Gabriel (The Twin Voice of Juan Gabriel).
As part of the closing event, a surprise show combining music and lights will be presented at 10:00 p.m. The specific details of this show have not yet been revealed by the authorities.
Regarding traffic, it was reported that closures will be partial and will last approximately five hours, so the impact will be minimal.
For more details about the event, please consult the social media accounts of the Municipality of Querétaro.
According to historian Jorge López Colchado, the Querétaro Aqueduct project began to take shape between 1722 and 1723, although it was completed a few years later with the intervention of Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana, the Marquis who promoted the project.
Construction formally began on January 15, 1726, with the building of a large reservoir in La Cañada to store water from the El Capulín spring, which would become the city’s main water source.
“The monumental aqueduct we know today was built later, between 1728 and 1729,” the researcher explained in an interview.
From that point, the water traveled approximately five kilometers to the start of the aqueduct, in the area now known as Loma Dorada, and then another two kilometers to a fountain located in front of the Temple of the Cross.
Although the works were completed in 1735, it wasn’t until 1738 that public water distribution began through various fountains installed at different points throughout the city.
“It was the largest aqueduct in America at that time… thanks to the construction of this great work, Querétaro was launched as one of the most important cities at that time in the colony of New Spain,” said Mayor Felipe Macías Olvera.
Source: oem
