route 16 Urban green route

The Barrio de Vite preserves the last aqueduct of Santiago de Compostela: it is the Ponte Mantible, a canal built over the Corgo River that dates back to the twelfth century and is still in operation, carrying water to the city’s fountains. Its construction dates back to the times of Diego Xelmírez, the first archbishop of Santiago, who was responsible, together with his treasurer, Mestre Bernardo, for carrying out major works for the city’s supply network.
The massive influx of pilgrims at the end of the eleventh century led to the rudimentary system of the city being overwhelmed: the fountains did not have enough supply and it is said that the monks of San Martiño Pinario could not even wash their hands. Faced with this desperate situation, the archbishop ordered the reconstruction of a small aqueduct about two centuries old, located “a thousand steps from the city” and built in the time of Bishop Sisnando I.
This aqueduct channeled water from two springs located at the top of Monte de Vite, in Chan de Curros and Fonte Branca, and transferred it to the Convent of Santa Clara, where it was distributed in several directions.