Panel 7 - The wall and the water

In this panel we can learn more about the wall that surrounded the city and the structures linked to the water inside the walls.

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1. The wall

Reccopolis was surrounded by an imposing wall that rose up to enclose the 33 hectares of the city. A symbol of prestige and propaganda, its purpose was not so much defensive as to mark the boundary between the city and the countryside. Built with a careful technique of sandstone ashlars plastered with lime mortar, it was punctuated by numerous square towers. The only gateway excavated to date, with a straight entrance, was flanked by two towers. Although the current height of the wall is between two and five metres, it is estimated that it may have reached seven metres in the Visigothic period.

General view of the wall and a square base of a tower.
Wall and base of a square tower.
General view of the entrance gate and part of the wall.
General view of the entrance gate and part of the wall.
Elevation view of a section of the wall, showing the base of a tower.
Elevation view of a section of the wall, showing the base of a tower.
Digital plan of the Reccopolis hill, highlighting the wall structures and buildings.
Digital plan of the Reccopolis hill, highlighting the wall structures and buildings.
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2. The Water Tank

A cistern located in the lower area of the main street formed part of the water supply system. Excavated into the natural soil levels and lined with a waterproofing layer, it was protected by a construction of rammed earth walls and a tiled roof. Access was through a room open to the street, paved with sandstone slabs.

Digital recreation of the city cistern, covered with a wooden roof and surrounded by masonry walls, the floor is paved with stone.
Digital recreation of the city cistern.
City cistern filled with large stones from the wall of the structure that was built on top of it.
General view of the cistern during the 2002 campaign, with the remains of the mud blocks of the structure that collapsed inwards.
Detail of the cistern on the main street of Reccopolis.
Plan of the tank structure.
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3. The Aqueduct

In the vicinity of Reccopolis, remains have been uncovered of an aqueduct that supplied water to certain areas of the city, likely including the palace.

Stone aqueduct visible among the vegetation and above a topsoil layer.
Structure of the aqueduct.
Group of archaeologists measuring and drawing the aqueduct and taking topographical measurements with a topographical level.
Photograph taken during the intervention campaign in the aqueduct, showing the archaeologists taking measurements with a theodolite.
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