DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29898#0422
386
ROMAN ARCHITECTURE.
Part I.
what is a rnere utilitarian work into an architectural screen of a beauty
hitherto unrivalled in its class.
The aqueducts of Segovia and Tarragona in Spain, though not
perhaps so grand, are quite as elegant and appropriate as this; and if
they stood across a line of well-wooded and watered vaileys, might
form as beautiful objects. Unfortunately the effect is much marred by
the houses and other objects that crowd their bases. Both these rise to
about 100 ft. above the level of their foundation in the centre. That of
Segovia is raised on light piers, the effect of which is perhaps somewhat
spoiled by numerous offsets, and the upper tier is if anything too light
for the lower. These defects are avoided at Tarragona, the central
arches of which are shown in Woodcut ISTo. 251. In this example the
proportion of the upper to the lower arcade is more perfect, and the
whole bears a character of lightness combined with constructive
solidity and elegance unrivalled, so far as I know, in any other work
250. Aqueduct of Segovia.
Scale 50 ft. to 1 in. 251. Aqueduct of Tarragona. Scale 50 ft. to 1 in.
of its class. It wants, however, the grandeur of the Pont du Gard ;
for though its length is about the same, exceeding 800 ft., it has
neither its height nor the impression of power given by the great
arches of that building, especially when contrasted with those that
are smaller.
The Roman bridges were designed on the same grand scale as their
aqueducts, though from their nature they of course could not possess
the same grace and lightness. This was, however, more than com-
pensated by their inherent solidity and by the manifestation of strength
imparted by the Romans to all these structures. They seem to have
been designed to last for ever ; and but for the violence of man, it
would be hardly possible to set limits to their durability. Many still
remain in almost every corner of the Roman Empire ; and wherever
found are easily recognised by the unmistakable impress of Roman
grandeur which is stamped upon them.
ROMAN ARCHITECTURE.
Part I.
what is a rnere utilitarian work into an architectural screen of a beauty
hitherto unrivalled in its class.
The aqueducts of Segovia and Tarragona in Spain, though not
perhaps so grand, are quite as elegant and appropriate as this; and if
they stood across a line of well-wooded and watered vaileys, might
form as beautiful objects. Unfortunately the effect is much marred by
the houses and other objects that crowd their bases. Both these rise to
about 100 ft. above the level of their foundation in the centre. That of
Segovia is raised on light piers, the effect of which is perhaps somewhat
spoiled by numerous offsets, and the upper tier is if anything too light
for the lower. These defects are avoided at Tarragona, the central
arches of which are shown in Woodcut ISTo. 251. In this example the
proportion of the upper to the lower arcade is more perfect, and the
whole bears a character of lightness combined with constructive
solidity and elegance unrivalled, so far as I know, in any other work
250. Aqueduct of Segovia.
Scale 50 ft. to 1 in. 251. Aqueduct of Tarragona. Scale 50 ft. to 1 in.
of its class. It wants, however, the grandeur of the Pont du Gard ;
for though its length is about the same, exceeding 800 ft., it has
neither its height nor the impression of power given by the great
arches of that building, especially when contrasted with those that
are smaller.
The Roman bridges were designed on the same grand scale as their
aqueducts, though from their nature they of course could not possess
the same grace and lightness. This was, however, more than com-
pensated by their inherent solidity and by the manifestation of strength
imparted by the Romans to all these structures. They seem to have
been designed to last for ever ; and but for the violence of man, it
would be hardly possible to set limits to their durability. Many still
remain in almost every corner of the Roman Empire ; and wherever
found are easily recognised by the unmistakable impress of Roman
grandeur which is stamped upon them.