Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal
Wrexham, Wales
26.10.2016
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal: A Remarkable Feat of Engineering
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Wrexham, Wales. It is a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of the Industrial Revolution, and is considered one of the most impressive feats of engineering in the world.
The aqueduct was constructed between 1795 and 1805 by Thomas Telford and William Jessop as part of the Ellesmere Canal. It was designed to carry the canal over the River Dee, and at 307 meters long and 38 meters high, it is the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain. The use of cast iron and stone in its construction was groundbreaking at the time and it continues to be a marvel of engineering today.
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is not only an engineering marvel, but also a beautiful and serene place to visit. The canal carries narrowboats across the valley, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can also take a boat ride along the canal, experiencing firsthand the impressive structure and its surroundings.
Aside from the aqueduct itself, the Pontcysyllte Canal is also a significant part of the World Heritage Site. It is 18 kilometers long and includes a series of locks, bridges, and tunnels. The canal played an important role in the transportation of goods during the Industrial Revolution and continues to be used for recreational purposes today.
Visiting the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal is not only a chance to witness an incredible feat of engineering, but also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on the local area. It is a must-see for anyone interested in history, architecture, or engineering.
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Situated in north-eastern Wales, the 18 kilometre long Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal is a feat of civil engineering of the Industrial Revolution, completed in the early years of the 19th century. Covering a difficult geographical setting, the building of the canal required substantial, bold civil engineering solutions, especially as it was built without using locks. The aqueduct is a pioneering masterpiece of engineering and monumental metal architecture, conceived by the celebrated civil engineer Thomas Telford. The use of both cast and wrought iron in the aqueduct enabled the construction of arches that were light and d strong, producing an overall effect that is both monumental and elegant. The property is inscribed as a masterpiece of creative genius, and as a remarkable synthesis of expertise already acquired in Europe. It is also recognized as an innovative ensemble that inspired many projects all over the world.
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (Welsh pronunciation: [ˌpɔntkəˈsəɬtɛ]; Welsh: Traphont Ddŵr Pontcysyllte) is a navigable aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee in the Vale of Llangollen in northeast Wales.
The 18-arched stone and cast iron structure is for use by narrowboats and was completed in 1805 having taken ten years to design and build. It is 12 feet (3.7 metres) wide and is the longest aqueduct in Great Britain as well as the highest canal aqueduct in the world. A towpath runs alongside the watercourse on one side.
The aqueduct was to have been a key part of the central section of the proposed Ellesmere Canal, an industrial waterway that would have created a commercial link between the River Severn at Shrewsbury and the Port of Liverpool on the River Mersey. Although a less expensive construction course was surveyed further to the east, the westerly high-ground route across the Vale of Llangollen was preferred because it would have taken the canal through the mineral-rich coalfields of North East Wales. Only parts of the canal route were completed because the expected revenues required to complete the entire project were never generated. Most major work ceased after the completion of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in 1805.
The structure is a Grade I listed building and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
