Artificio de Juanelo

The water of Art, Toledo was a city built in the 16th century system that served the water supply of the city of Toledo and the Alcázar.

Initial situation

The water art was a construction of the then famous engineer Juanelo Turriano, who still was commissioned during the reign of Charles V, to construct a device to bring the water from the Tajo in the city was capable. Famous for their swords and steel forging products Toledo much needed water for production, but since the ancient Roman aqueduct was destroyed, the Tajowasser had a most inefficient way to uphill transport into the city on the backs of mules. Turrianos task was to find a mechanical solution to the supply problem.

Construction of Water Art

Construction of the plant took place over a long period and was hampered by barriers such as the abdication of Turrianos conveyor Charles V in 1556. His successor, Philip II was less interested in technical questions than Karl, so the project came to a halt in the meantime. 1565 but gained Turriano regain control of the construction and the work was completed. It is not known exactly when the water art was put into operation; but in 1568 it was in use and brought about 12,400 liters of water daily to the city.

The plant

The finished water art was a complex mechanism that was able to transport the water of the river over a height difference of 90 meters and a distance of 600 meters. An undershot waterwheel, which served as the bucket at the same time, carried water from the river at a higher tank. At the same time the water wheel drove over a precisely engineered linkage to a number of lifters, drew their first water from the tank. Each of these channels has been lifted and emptied the entrained water to the next higher channel, which in turn has now lifted by the rod work. Gradually, the water was so transported uphill until it came into the city and was further distributed there by lines.

Operation

Although the forging of Toledo encouraged the construction and Turriano had promised generous payment in the amount of 1900 ducats a year, when he successfully took care of their water supply, they found after five years, the payments, although the water art worked flawlessly. In support, they indicated that the Alcázar far more water than referring them and that they therefore can not be compelled looked, the engineer to pay the agreed wage. As a consequence, took over King Philip the operating costs of the plant and let the forging block the additional water supply.

After Turrianos death initially took over his grandson maintenance of the plant; and these had died, no one who could keep the elaborate mechanism was repaired. Nevertheless, the water of Art Toledo additional years saw service until it was finally broken in 1639 irreparably. The plant was shut down and disintegrated. She was in operation at least 71 years.

Reconstruction

From the water of Art Toledo no drawings or technically reliable descriptions are obtained; all contemporary accounts are misleading and inaccurate. From the available materials science historian Ladislao Reti tried to reconstruct the plant ( 1901-1973 ). The accompanying illustration shows the result of his work.