Multimedia Gallery

Manises is home to a great architectural treasure that is well worth a visit. Come and explore Els Arcs aqueduct.

Manises is renowned for its ceramic tradition, an iconic local activity that has put the town on the global map. Nevertheless, if you are spending some time in this part of Valencia, you will come across plenty of other places that have got fascinating stories to tell.

A case in point is Els Arcs aqueduct. The structure has been listed a Site of Cultural Interest and though it has changed over the passing of time, it remains an architectural treasure of Horta Sud.

The aqueduct is located in Salt de l'Aigua ravine. With regards to its antiquity, the first reference to the structure was found in an order by King James I in 1273, which talks of the need to restore it. The next mention is a fair few centuries afterwards, the 19th, when the aqueduct is referenced by the French scholar Jaubert de Passa. Although it was originally believed to be a Roman construction, more recent research has dated it to the Muslim period.

The purpose of Els Arcs was to carry water from the Quart canal over the ravine to the neighbouring villages. If you come for a visit, you’ll see 28 arches that over time have formed stalactites from the filtrations. The final result is breathtaking.

Water still currently runs through the aqueduct, which was adapted in the 1970s to continue fulfilling its purpose. If you’re interested in historic heritage, we’d recommend making your way to Salt de l'Aigua ravine to see an aqueduct which has withstood the passing of many centuries.