Andelos: Roman water lesson

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Many are the challenges facing humanity in the XXI century, from climate change to a significant increase in world population. In the list of challenges, and perhaps a result of them, water problem, an increasingly scarce rational use of which is seen as indispensable. How not to waste a single drop? The Romans took this question, the respondents with special skill in Navarra.

Some specialists have already coined the term "blue gold" to refer to water. If the twentieth century, oil was the cause of many wars, not too surprised that in the new century is the liquid element that comes to mobilizing the armies of the world. But, as in many other matters, to have a good perspective have to look in the mirror of the past and reflect on how our ancestors took their water resources. In that time travel Andelos the Roman town, in the heart of Navarre, is an inexcusable visit. The main asset of this archaeological site is its hydraulic system, excellently preserved and a reference on the peninsula even though the Roman settlement has been overshadowed by other environmental sites of interest.

To get there the best starting point is Pamplona, where it takes just over half an hour by car to reach the town of Mendigorra. The journey itself is already an exercise in awareness of the importance of water. Just look around. Northern Puente la Reina (place of passage), predominantly green. In contrast, all that remains to the south characterized by a yellow dye that remind us that without a rational use of water the soil loses all its richness. This impression is confirmed upon entering the village, surrounded by an arid landscape where only guess the green on the horizon.
The visit allows you to access two different areas. On one side is the bulk of the archaeological site, fencing, beside which is a small interpretive center. Only open on weekends and at times a bit strange, so it is best to check before you go. Then there are the large buildings connected to the hydraulic system: an outlet, a regulating reservoir, the remains of an aqueduct and the castellum aquae, all very well preserved. This second set is excavated but outdoors, so you can visit without time restrictions.

Some specialists have already coined the term "blue gold" to refer to water. If the twentieth century, oil was the cause of many wars, not too surprised that in the new century is the liquid element that comes to mobilizing the armies of the world.

Why should this separation, if everything is part of the same set? Like many other villages of the interior peninsular, Andelos was abandoned in the late Middle Ages. The scarcity of financial resources, overexploitation of the environment and a terrible plague in the mid-fourteenth century the town condemned the depopulation. If we add that this is a core rarely mentioned by ancient authors, is not surprising that many years pass into oblivion until it was excavated and reidentified.

Precisely the result of these excavations is the discovery of her impressive hydraulics, key to understanding the secrets of the Roman technology. At this point, it is best to put on hiking boots and explore the area devoted to. For example, a 400 parking meters from the interpretive center is a huge water tank that is worth visiting to see its sturdy containment buttresses and descend a staircase up to the same background. The land to be muddy and almost always have to be careful about slipping, but the only way, eyes of an archaeologist exploring, understand the true significance of this structure that supplied water to Andelos.

This Roman settlement, ultimately, honors the spirit of this website to combine travel and history and offers visitors a trip back fledged. From our hectic twenty-first century and clear signs of water shortage, we can go back to a time when it was known that, without, life is not possible. The deposit may be an unknown Andelos compared with the great archaeological sites of the Iberian Peninsula, but certainly none that goes hand in hand as far as regards water system.

More Edu routes in Spain&Different en www.eduyeriviajes.com

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Andelos is in the municipality of Mendigorra, about 30 kilometers from Pamplona. Reached from the capital of Navarra is not complicated, but not too simple. We must take the A-12 (Highway Road) and leave at exit 23, up to Puente la Reina. They look for the TO-601 Mendigorra direction and circulate very attentive to signs, because as we get closer to the people the archaeological site is well signposted.

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Although Mendigorra is a town where the population is traditionally dedicated to the industry, is slowly setting a good tourist. To spend the night in the village there are two houses: Mendibil Borda and Orbara Etxea. For those who like camping accommodation is also available in an alternative, as the Camping El Molino Andel is really about.

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In Navarra eat is never a problem: asparagus, artichokes, sausage… The list of exquisite products, with or without designation of origin, far exceeds the scope of this article. In Mendigorra there are several bars in which to test homemade food, but our recommendation is to take the car and choose from a lively tapas bars in the streets of Pamplona (northbound) or an extensive pittance in Parador de Olite (south).

[tab:highly recommended]
The Roman settlement of Andelos is the best example that offers more incentives Navarra Pamplona, Or Olite Tudela. In addition to these impressive historic-artistic, to which there is no merit to remove, Navarre presents the enclaves less known but equally amazing. From Roman road Cirauqui unlikely to Truffle Museum Metauten, it's worth giving a chance for lesser-known side of one of the most beautiful areas of Spain.
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