GALLIA ROMANA

Database of texts and images
Of Gallo-Roman antiquities (15th-17th centuries)

Notice

Ville Uzès (Gard, 30)
Subject(s) Aqueduct
 
Author(s) Platter, Thomas II
  Physician from Basel, younger brother of Felix Platter (1574-1628)
Resource type Manuscript
Date 1596
Inscription
References Platter A λ V, ff. 172-172v°= Keiser 1968, p. 219
Bibliography

Keiser 1968 ; Le Roy Ladurie 1995 ; Le Roy Ladurie 2000 ; Provost 1999-2, p. 720

Remarks

The 'Fontaine d'Eure' drains one of the distribution basins of Nimes' aqueduct

Transcription 

« Wann man bey dem brunnen über den fluß Gard kompt, ist ein mechtig schöner, großer brunnen von gar viel quellen, Font douro genennet, neben welchem ein (aquae ductus) wasser gang, under der erden gewelbt geschen wirdt, von einem harten, alten kitt, wie der bey Liechstall im Basler [172v°] gebiet, welcher biß nach der dreyfachen bruck ein meyl wegs under der erden gebauwen ist. Unndt vermeinet man, es seye darumb beschehen, weil man hab wellen den brunnen (Font douro) durch denselbigen gang über die öbriste bruck in die statt Nismes führen oder, wie andere wellen, in einen canal, domitt man hette kennen die meerschiff vom see biß nach Nismes auf demselbigen führen, hatt aber ein ansehen, als wann das werck nie wehre vollendet worden. »
= “Near the fountain beneath which flows the Gardon River, there is a very fine and strong spring comprising several jets; it is called the 'Font d'Ouro'. Near this one can see an underground, vaulted (aqueduct) water conduit, constructed with a very hard, ancient cement, like that near Liestal, in the Bale region. This underground conduit runs to the triple bridge, a mile away. It is thought that water was thus conducted from the fountain (Font d'Ouro), across the upper level of the bridge, right into the town of Nimes. According to others, the water supplied a canal which brought seafaring ships from the coast right up to Nimes, which would have been a great advantage, had the work been accomplished.”