Santiago de Querétaro in Querétaro, Mexico — The Central Highlands (North America)

The Main Water Canal

La Acequia Madre

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, January 10, 2019

1. The Main Water Canal Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

La Acequia Madre
La Acequia madre de la ciudad de Santiago de Querétaro se comenzó a construir desde fines del sigio XVI como un canal de tierra zanjada derivado del río Querétaro. Esta Acequia, constituye el primer proyecto hidráulico para abastecer de agua limpia a las huertas, casas y conventos de la naciente ciudad novohispana. En sus origenes la acequia debió ser un canal a cielo abierto en donde solamente algunas atarjeas y datas estuviéron construidos con cal y piedra. Probablemente hacia el año 1616 la acequia había 1ogrado su mayor extensión, cruzando diagonalmente la ciudad en sentido noreste hacía suroeste alcanzando los terrenos del barrio del Espíritu Santo. En este lugar años despues fue construide el Real Colegio de Niñas de Santa Rosa de Viterbo, en cuyo huerto atraviesa la Acequia Madre.

De los 30 metros de acequia aquí mostrados, se pueden observar dos sistemas constructivos. El más antiguo es un canal con muros mampostería y tapa de lajas de cantera rosa, siendo sus dimensiones interiores 90 centímetros de ancho por l.15 metros de altura. A continuación se encuentra el mismo canal de mampostería

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pero ahora cubierta por una bóveda de cañón corrido fabricada con dovelas irregulares de cantera rosa. Las dimensiones en este tramo son diferentes 65 centímetros de ancho por 1.25 metros de altura. Sobre esta bóveda fue encontrada uña pequeña tina ovalada forjada con ladrillo y bruñida en su interior, misma que desagua a la misma acequia.

Pie de dibujos:
Canal con muros mampostería y tapa de lajas

Canal cubierto por una bóveda de cañón corrido

English translation:
The Main Water Canal
Construction on the Main Water Canal for the city of Santiago de Querétaro began at the end of the 16th century as a simple earthen ditch coming from the Querétaro River. This water canal was the first hydraulic system to supply clean water to the gardens, houses and convents of the nascent city of New Spain. Originally the ditch must have been an open-air canal where only a few branching, smaller canals and other openings were built with lime and stone. Probably around the year 1616 the canal had reached its greatest extension, diagonally crossing the city flowing from the northeast towards the southwest, reaching the lands of the Holy Spirit Neighborhood. In this place years later was built the Royal College of Girls of Santa Rosa de Viterbo, where the Main Water Canal crosses what was once its large garden.

Of the 30

The Main Water Canal and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, January 10, 2019

2. The Main Water Canal and Marker

meters of the water canal shown here, you can see two construction systems. The oldest is a channel with masonry walls and a cover of slabs of pink quarried stone, its interior dimensions being 90 centimeters wide by 1.15 meters high. The second system is the same masonry channel but covered by a continuous barrel vault made of irregular pink quarried blocks. The dimensions in this section are different as it is 65 centimeters wide by 1.25 meters high. Above this vault was found a small oval-shaped tub made of brick and burnished in its interior, draining to the same water canal.

Captions:
The canal with walls of masonry and quarried stone slabs as a cover

The canal covered by a continuous barrel vault

Erected by Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) y otras organizaciones.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1616.

Location. 20° 35.25′ N, 100° 23.767′ W. Marker is in Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro. Marker can be reached from José María Arteaga just west of Melchor Ocampo, on the left when traveling west. The marker and remains of the acequia are in the large open courtyard on the grounds south of the Santa Rosa

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, January 10, 2019

3. The Main Water Canal and Marker

de Viterbo Catholic Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santiago de Querétaro QUE 76000, Mexico. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Water Storage Tank and Wash Basins (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Main Water Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Fountain of Santa Rosa de Viterbo (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Church of Santa Rosa de Viterbo (about 90 meters away); Royal College and Convent of Santa Rosa de Viterbo (about 90 meters away); General José María Arteaga Magallanes (about 90 meters away); Ezequiel Montes Ledesma (about 120 meters away); Chapel of the Holy Spirit (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santiago de Querétaro.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.