Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque

The Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque, or Tembleque Aqueduct, is a Mexican aqueduct located between the towns of Zempoala, Hidalgo, and Otumba in the State of Mexico.

Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System
Coordinates	19°50′04″N 98°39′45″W
Begins	Zempoala, Hidalgo
Ends	Otumba, Mexico State
Official name	Sistema Hidráulico del Acueducto del Padre Tembleque
Characteristics
Total length	45 kilometres (28 mi)
Height	38.75 metres (127.1 ft) Main Arcade
History
Construction start	1553
Opened	1570
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii, iv
Designated	2015 (39th session)
Reference no.	1463
Region	Hispano America and the Caribbean
Location

The structure takes its name from a Spanish friar called Francisco de Tembleque.

Site description

Originally constructed between 1553 and 1570, the aqueduct stretches 45 kilometres (28 mi) long, beginning at Tecajete volcano just east of Zempoala and terminating at Otumba.^[1] It passed mostly at ground level, but also went underground as well as over ravines and valleys. There are three arcades along the aqueduct: the first has 46 arches, the second has 13, and the third has 67 arches. The highest valley the aqueduct spans is Papalote ravine, which is crossed by the 67-arch arcade also known as the Main Arcade, with the tallest arch standing 38.75 metres (127.1 ft).^[1]

World Heritage Site status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on 20 November 2001 in the Cultural category.^[1] It was inscribed on the World Heritage Site list on 5 July 2015.^[2]

See also

• Acueducto del Padre Tembleque on the Spanish Wikipedia
• List of World Heritage Sites in Mexico