The aqueduct was designed to replace an older, insufficient water supply system for the Monastery of Santa Clara.
It originally comprised 999 arches, a number often cited in local historical records.
The water intake source was the springs located in the neighboring parish of Terroso.
The structure terminates at the high-walled garden area of the Monastery of Santa Clara.
During the 19th century, parts of the aqueduct were breached to facilitate road expansion and town growth.
The granite used in the construction was sourced from local quarries in the surrounding Vila do Conde district.
The Aqueduto de Santa Clara is a 18th-century stone waterway stretching approximately 4 kilometers from Terroso to the Santa Clara Monastery in Vila do Conde. Commissioned by the nuns of the Order of St. Clare, construction began in 1705 and was completed in 1714 to supply fresh water to the convent. The structure consists of 999 stone arches, though many sections have been repurposed or partially integrated into the modern urban landscape. It served as the primary water source for the monastery for over two centuries. Today, it remains an iconic landmark reflecting the town's historical reliance on convent-led infrastructure. The aqueduct is built primarily of granite, a material characteristic of Northern Portuguese heritage architecture.
From the base of the arches looking upward towards the section nearest the monastery to capture the height and scale.
Walk the pedestrian-friendly paths alongside the arches to view the structural variations.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the path follows the undulating terrain of the town.
Combine your visit with a tour of the adjacent Monastery of Santa Clara.
Do not attempt to climb the arches, as the stone masonry is historical and fragile.
