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City Walls and Aqueducts of Serpa

City Walls around Old Town

Serpa had been inhabited since the ancient times, Romans had left their marks in the city and later Muslims added their own colours to this city. This wonderful town is often overlooked by the tourists, it is small in size with only 17,000 or so inhabitants. It makes a great day trip from nearby towns of Beja and Mertola. 
Parts of the city walls in Serpa date back to the 11th century. The city walls which stand today are mostly the work of Dom Dinis from the 12th century. Defensive walls of Serpa stretch from the castle all the way to the city gate and the aqueducts. One section of the wall is situated at the junction of Rua dos Fidalgos and Rua Dr. Manuel Corte Real.

A section of the old city walls in one of the streets of Serpa
A section of the old city walls in one of the streets of Serpa
A narrow street with city walls on it's left side - City walls and Aqueducts of Serpa
A narrow street with city walls on it's left side - City walls and Aqueducts of Serpa
A street sign where the old walls are located
This appears to be some sort of a small poem on the face of the city wall
Wall at the junction of Rua dos Fidalgos and Rua Dr. Manuel Corte Real
At the end of this street, a section of the wall is visible
At the end of this street, a section of the wall is visible
Rua dos Cavalos has a section of the city walls
A small entrance built in the wall - city walls and aqueducts of Serpa
A small entrance built in the wall - city walls and aqueducts of Serpa
Close to Rua dos Lagares, at the Rua dos Cavalos this section of the city walls can be seen
Close to Rua dos Lagares, at the Rua dos Cavalos this section of the city walls can be seen
Some old remains of the city's defensive system

Aqueducts

The remains of an 11th-century aqueduct are situated to the western side of Serpa. These impressive looking aqueducts were built  during the Muslim rule in Spain and Portugal. A wheel pump is built into the city walls, connected with the aqueducts. The noria (wheel to pump the water) is from the 17th century. It was used for pumping water to the nearby Palácio dos Condes de Ficalho. Aqueducts run along Rua do Arcos all the way to the city gate and beyond.

An old olive tree at the corner of Rua do Arcos
An old olive tree at the corner of Rua do Arcos
Here, city wall has aqueducts built above them
A water wheel or noria is also built to pump the water
A water wheel or noria is also built to pump the water
Aqueducts at the top of the Serpa city walls
Aqueducts at the top of the Serpa city walls
These impressive looking aqueducts run along Rua do Arcos all the way to the city gate and beyond
Looking at the city gate and aqueducts from Rua das Portas de Beja
Looking at the city gate and aqueducts from Rua das Portas de Beja
One of the twin towers of Gate of Beja - City walls and aqueducts of Serpa
One of the twin towers of Gate of Beja - City walls and aqueducts of Serpa
Looking back at the aqueducts from the corner of the city gate
Looking back at the aqueducts from the corner of the city gate
Old town of Serpa has walls built around it but only few sections remain intact today
Old town of Serpa has walls built around it but only few sections remain intact today
Arches of aqueducts above the Gate of Beja
Arches of aqueducts above the Gate of Beja

Gate of Beja

This solid looking gate is situated at the western side of the city and it offers entrance to the old town. Above this city gate, the aqueducts extend to other parts of the city. There is a smaller entrance in the city walls, since it is very small in size, probably it was added at a later stage.

Gate of Beja - City walls and aqueducts of Serpa
Gate of Beja - City walls and aqueducts of Serpa
Exterior of the Gate of Beja
In the past, this door was an access point in the city walls
In the past, this door was an access point in the city walls
A view of the city gate, from inside the old town of Serpa
A view of the city gate, from inside the old town of Serpa
A smaller entrance in the city walls
A smaller entrance in the city walls
Very impressive looking city walls and defensive towers of Serpa old town
Very impressive looking city walls and defensive towers of Serpa old town
An extended tower of the city walls and aqueducts of Sepa