Alcantarilla Dam

The Alcantarilla Dam is an ancient Roman gravity dam built to supply water to the Roman city of Toletum, in the Roman province of Hispania Tarraconensis [1]. It was constructed in the 2nd century BC on a tributary of the Tagus River [1]. Currently in ruins, it is located between the towns of Sonseca and Mazarambroz [1]. It is believed to be the oldest dam in Spain and possibly the oldest known Roman dam [1]. The toponym "Alcantarilla" means conduit and is of Arabic origin: its Latin name is unknown [1]. It was 20 metres high and at least 550 metres long [1]. The water was conveyed to the city by an aqueduct which passed through Layos [1].