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<span>Click on the image to go to Tweet.<\/span><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nCuriosity Meets Reality<\/strong>. While this finding is fascinating, it did not catch experts off-guard. According to archaeologist \u00a0Esther Andreu\u00a0, “it was not surprising to encounter this section of the canal here.” With previous archaeological efforts in the area, experts had been using \u00a0laser scanning\u00a0 to study the landscape extensively.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The Vision of the Royal Canal<\/strong> was perhaps one of Felipe II’s grandest aspirations. In the \u00a016th century\u00a0, he pondered why Madrid couldn\u2019t have its own port connected to the Atlantic Ocean. While it may sound fanciful, the monarch envisioned a waterway that would connect \u00a0Madrid with Lisbon\u00a0, resembling the locks and canals he had observed in Flanders<\/a>. This ambitious project led to plans for a 600-kilometer navigable route, requiring the ability to navigate a 650-meter elevation difference.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Progress and Setbacks<\/strong>. By \u00a01584\u00a0, Felipe II traveled from Madrid to \u00a0Aranjuez\u00a0 to inspect the project. However, neither his efforts nor those of the engineers\u2014most notably \u00a0Juan Bautista Antonelli\u00a0, who led the project\u2014were sufficient to bring the canal to the scale originally envisioned. Ultimately, the structure extended only \u00a022 kilometers\u00a0, significantly shorter than anticipated, with ten locks and various facilities. Several challenges impeded progress, including Antonelli’s death in \u00a01588\u00a0 and the \u00a0political distancing\u00a0 from Portugal.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Considering the Remains<\/strong>. The pressing question now arises: what should happen to the remains of the Royal Canal? Their historical and cultural significance is undeniable. While historical remnants like small stones or metals can be handled with relative ease, the proper care and management of a structure weighing several tons present unique challenges. Moving the wall without causing deterioration raises critical questions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n <img alt=\"Valladolid was the capital of Spain for a very brief period of time. The reason: real estate speculation\" width=\"375\" height=\"142\" src=\"https:\/\/i.blogs.es\/72e493\/valladolid\/375_142.jpeg\"\/><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nAccording to Andreu, the unearthed section was approximately nine meters wide and 1.5 meters deep. “It was not very deep, as it paralleled the \u00a0Manzanares River\u00a0.” Faced with this complex situation, the project managers decided to adopt methods inspired by Ancient Egypt.<\/p>\n
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A Complex Procedure<\/strong>. Although daunting, the task took on a new life under the guidance of \u00a0Miguel \u00c1ngel L\u00f3pez Marcos\u00a0, an expert in archaeological recovery. He successfully handled similar projects before, such as restoring the colossi in \u00a0Luxor\u00a0. “The extraction had to be done in block. Disassembling would compromise the wall’s integrity,” he explained, emphasizing that conventional engineering tools lacked the necessary capability for this kind of task.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n <img alt=\"Jer\u00f3nimo de Ayanz, the forgotten Da Vinci who designed a submarine and air conditioning systems in the Spain of the Austrias\" width=\"375\" height=\"142\" src=\"https:\/\/i.blogs.es\/967863\/submarino-antiguo\/375_142.jpg\"\/><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nA Unique Solution<\/strong>. To manage this challenge, L\u00f3pez Marcos and his team innovated a protective cage\u2014essentially a shield beneath the structure that involved placing steel bars to support a 14-ton wall. \u00a0Hydraulic beams and jacks\u00a0 allowed them to safely lower the wall so it could be transferred to a crane truck. Moreover, to facilitate movement, steel rollers were utilized under the cage.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Final Goal<\/strong>. The ultimate aim is to restore and showcase these historical remains. Once the \u00a0Madrid River station\u00a0 project is completed, the public will be able to view the wall as a tribute to the ambitious project that once sought to make Madrid a powerful port city. This endeavor not only highlights the challenges of modern engineering but also pays homage to the rich history that lies beneath the streets of Madrid.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Images | Wikipedia<\/a> and Silke Baron (Flickr)<\/a><\/p>\n