Proserpina Dam

The Proserpina Dam is a Roman gravity dam in Mérida, Extremadura, Spain, dating to the 1st or 2nd century AD. It was built as part of the infrastructure which supplied the city of Emerita Augusta with water.

Proserpina Dam
LocationMérida, Extremadura, Spain
Coordinates38.969544°N 6.366433°W / 38.969544; -6.366433
Opening date1st–2nd century
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsLas Pardillas (Guadiana basin)
Height12 m
Length427.8 m
Width (base)5.9 m
Official nameProserpina Dam
TypeCultural
Criteriaiii, iv
Designated1993 (17th session)
Part ofArchaeological Ensemble of Mérida
Reference no.664-014
RegionEurope and North America
Official namePantano de Proserpina
TypeNon-movable
CriteriaMonument
Designated13 December 1912
Reference no.RI-51-0000114
Proserpina Dam, plan and cross-section

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Milagros aqueduct leading to the city fell into decay, but the earth dam with retaining wall is still in use.[1]

Conservation

It is also part of the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.[2]

See also

Notes

  1. Arenillas & Castillo 2003
  2. Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida at UNESCO

References

  • Arenillas Parra, Miguel; Castillo, Juan C. (2003), "Dams from the Roman Era in Spain. Analysis of Design Forms (with Appendix)", 1st International Congress on Construction History [20th–24th January], Madrid

Further reading


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