Aqueduct of Luynes, Luynes, France

The Luynes aqueduct is a former Gallo-Roman bridge aqueduct located in Luynes, France. The remains show a stack of five arches and it is the most famous Roman monument in the Department of Indre-et-Loire, despite its modest dimensions. It is also one of the best preserved of the Northern aqueducts. It was classified a historical monument in 1862 and is owned by the town of Luynes.

It originally had a total length of 1,825 metres, almost in a straight line, including 525 metres of raised causeway. Its underground portion, and in particular its final journey, passes the hamlet of Villeronde. Only a portion of the aqueduct-bridge is now visible as it passes through the Valley of the Arennes.

The actual channel for the water is masonry and not a lead or terracotta piping and has a slope of 1.5 cm to 2.9 m per kilometre. The maximum height of the arches of the aqueduct is 8.90 m.

History

The remains of the aqueduct-bridge are located 1.5 km northeast of the centre of Luynes, in Indre-et-Loire. It has a general orientation of north-northeast to south-southwest, taking water from the now dry Pie Noire, and is believed to have supplied water to ancient Luynes, or even Caesarodunum.

It has been conjectured, however, that the aqueduct was privately owned and serviced the complex of private villas at Sainte-Roselle. Its construction has not yet been dated with certainty; the construction style would indicate the 2nd or 3rd century, like the resort that it fed.

It remained in use until the 12th or 13th century and has been the subject of several repair campaigns, especially at the beginning of the 10th century, under Charles the Simple, which is why it has survived so well, even if number of stones of its collapsed batteries had to be recovered and used. This suggests that its use has changed throughout this period, despite the abandonment of the seaside resort of Sainte-Roselle.

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Wikipedia

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Pieter Troost (3 years ago)
The Luynes aqueduct is a former Gallo-Roman bridge aqueduct located in Luynes, France.

Colin Browne (5 years ago)
Short stretch of Roman era remains which is Free to view. Parking available opposite

Carol C. (5 years ago)
Interesting ruin.

Mario Dukmenic (5 years ago)
Ruins of an old Roman aqueduct.

Neil Campbell (6 years ago)
Not far outside Fondettes, the remains of the aquaduc are an easy cycle on practically flat, quiet roads. There is a small rest area with one seat and an information board, otherwise the remains themselves are alongside the road and someone's garden. Worth a visit if in the area

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