Barcelona boasts a rich but often overlooked heritage of historic aqueducts, with about half a dozen visible across the city. While the Roman aqueduct’s surviving arches are found in Ciutat Vella’s Plaça del Vuit de Març, the majority of these impressive structures are concentrated in the Nou Barris district, particularly in the peripheral areas of Torre Baró and Ciutat Meridiana, bordering Can Cuiàs, which lies within the municipality of Montcada i Reixac. This ‘aqueduct district’ remains largely unknown to many Barcelona residents.
A Network of Historic Aqueducts Undergoing Revalorization
The construction of the Dosrius aqueduct, which transported water from Maresme to Gràcia, and the Alt de Montcada aqueduct, intended to bring water from Vallès to Vallcarca but never fully operational, left numerous sections exposed in the aforementioned neighborhoods, as well as in areas like Guineueta and even Horta-Guinardó. The most recognized of these is integrated into the Parc Central de Nou Barris. However, a stroll through Ciutat Meridiana reveals even more spectacular sections.
For some time, the municipal government has pursued a policy of revalorizing these aqueducts. Interventions include integrating them into parks and gardens and converting them into pedestrian walkways. Yet, the most emblematic remains the least known: the historic Pont dels Tres Ulls, currently buried, awaiting municipal intervention to unearth it and restore its status as a symbol of this part of Barcelona. For those unfamiliar with these historical gems, here’s a brief overview of the most interesting aqueducts and their current status:
Parc Central de Nou Barris Aqueduct: Integrated into a Public Park
Located in the Guineueta neighborhood, this aqueduct is in the best state of preservation, thanks to its integration into the Parc Central de Nou Barris. While not the largest in Nou Barris, it is currently the most accessible. In 2007, during the park’s third phase of construction, it was incorporated into the green space after significant rehabilitation, creating a recreational area that includes a pond and various terraces. A walkable path on top allows passage from one side to the other. Due to its public access, however, it has been a target for vandalism.
This aqueduct, originally spanning the Can Carreras stream (a still-standing farmhouse also within Parc Central), features three large semi-circular arches supporting the water channel. The bridge is situated in Parc Central de Nou Barris, a 17-hectare green space that houses unique historical buildings such as the former Santa Creu Mental Institute, Can Carreras farmhouse, and the Fórum Nord, a center for innovative business initiatives. In this context, the aqueduct represents a heritage asset made accessible to the public.
Pont dels Tres Ulls: The Surprising Buried Aqueduct
Our tour of Nou Barris’ main aqueducts takes a unique turn in the Trinitat Nova neighborhood. Here lies one of the most distinctive structures, yet it remains unseen, buried beneath a small hill on the slopes of Collserola, indistinguishable to those unaware of the marvel below. This is the Pont dels Tres Ulls (Bridge of the Three Eyes), named for its three circular openings. Once a symbol of Trinitat Nova, it is located midway between Carrer d’Aiguablava and Camí de les Quatre Estacions.
The Pont dels Tres Ulls was constructed in the early 20th century as part of a hydraulic infrastructure that included the Cases de l’Aigua in Trinitat Nova and Trinitat Vella, one on each side of the current Meridiana Avenue and connected by a tunnel. Its name derived from its spectacular three circular eyes, with diameters of six, eight, and ten meters, designed to allow rainwater from the streams to pass through. Despite its visual prominence from many points in the neighborhood, it never became operational and gradually deteriorated. In the 1970s, it was buried to prevent accidents due to its height.
For over three decades, the aqueduct remained buried, its memory half-forgotten. However, in 2015, at the urging of the Arxiu Històric Roquetes-Nou Barris – a key entity for district historical heritage recovery – the Barcelona City Council geolocated this section of the aqueduct. A small segment was unearthed and included in an ambitious recovery plan that aimed for full excavation. A decade later, this remains a project, and the unearthed portion is rapidly deteriorating.
Ciutat Meridiana Aqueduct: The Most Spectacular
While some sections of this aqueduct network are visible in Torre Baró, such as the one crossing Pasaje Carreres or the one above the Font d’en Mangues stream, which has been redeveloped as a green area, the most spectacular section is found in Ciutat Meridiana. Here, the Ciutat Meridiana aqueduct, located at the intersection of Carrer de Rasos de Peguera and Carrer del Brull, is integrated into the network of trails leading to Font Moguera, standing out for its impressive height.
Although the aqueduct itself is not directly accessible, being located almost in a forest area, it has historically served as the backdrop for a sports zone, once home to swimming pools and football fields. Since 2021, it has been part of the Parc de l’Aqüeducte, a significant green space spanning 12,260 square meters. This park’s very purpose and background are centered around this interesting section of the aqueduct, which has now been significantly revalorized for public enjoyment.
Can Cuiàs Aqueduct: To Be Transformed into a Pedestrian Walkway
Our journey through the most unique aqueducts concludes with the one situated on Barcelona’s periphery, almost on the border with Montcada i Reixac. This is the Can Cuiàs aqueduct, located in the ravine separating Ciutat Meridiana (Barcelona) from Can Cuiàs (Montcada i Reixac). It offers the most direct route between the two neighborhoods, which otherwise require a significant detour involving steep ascents and descents via Carrer de les Agudes or Carrer de Circumval·lació. Although not the most visually spectacular, it is poised to become the most practical if recently announced municipal plans are realized: to convert the aqueduct into a pedestrian walkway.
Just last week, the Barcelona City Council announced an investment of 2.08 million euros for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the structure, which is classified as a local cultural heritage asset. This project will transform its upper section into a wide pedestrian walkway. The intervention will bring integral improvements to the area, including new lighting and recreational spaces, while ensuring the heritage protection of this infrastructure. An active water pipe runs along the top of the aqueduct, a function that will continue despite the rehabilitation. The works, initially approved by the Government Commission and now in the public information phase, are expected to last five months once they commence.
The Can Cuiàs aqueduct dates back to 1860 and is part of the larger Vallès aqueduct project, one of several aqueducts built in the late 19th century during the industrial revolution to supply water to Barcelona. It crosses the Torrent del Bosc Llarg. While a parallel path currently exists, accessibility is poor due to very steep slopes on both sides, making a longer, more circuitous route around the torrent the safer alternative. The construction of the pedestrian walkway will ensure improved connectivity.
The Can Cuiàs aqueduct is a masonry structure with a total length of 106.4 meters and six semi-circular arches, each with a 5-meter radius. Its maximum height at the central section is 16.22 meters, and the total width of the structure is two meters. At both ends, there are currently two sealed turrets that block passage. The closest main streets on either side of the aqueduct have steep gradients: 10% for Carrer de Circumval·lació (Montcada i Reixac) and 8% for Carrer de les Agudes (Barcelona). The area also features various residential blocks and the Ciutat Meridiana football field.
The project, now initially approved by the Barcelona City Council, proposes the integration of a pedestrian walkway to give the aqueduct a new purpose, efficiently resolving the accessibility gap between two neighboring districts with poor connectivity. To achieve this, a lightweight metal structure will be installed directly on the aqueduct. This structure will support the paving and an exterior-grade, non-slip treated wooden deck. Handrails with integrated lighting are planned for both sides of the walkway.
Source: https://www.elnacional.cat/es/barcelona/barrio-acueductos-barcelona-patrimonio-desconocido-en-plena-revalorizacion_1524781_102.html
