at a glance
in 1721 the first attempt at an aqueduct was made, but the construction did not last long as it was built with wood and, due to deterioration of the original aqueduct, a new larger structure was ordered - engineer josé fernandes pinto alpoim was tasked with improving the system. during Aires de Saldanha e Albuquerque's government, the construction of another aqueduct system was ordered, and the first part was completed in 1723 - the new and improved aqueduct was completed in 1750, and is still stands in the center of rio de janeiro, withstanding the test of time. the aqueduct was shut down at the end of the 19th century, when modern technology and piping led to more efficient ways of supplying water to rio de janeiro. this is when the arches were converted to a bridge connecting the city center with the santa teresa neighborhood.
