If you ask anyone in my country for the thing that defines the state in which I live, almost everyone will answer the same thing: The Arches.
Connecting the Historic City Centre with some of Querétaro's main avenues, these Arches are but a visible part of what once was the main source of clean water in my city. Comprised of 74 arches and measuring 4'265 ft in length (1'300 m) with a maximum height of 93.24 ft (28.42 m), The Aqueduct is one of the biggest in Mexico as well as a popular tourist attraction.
However, the most interesting fact about The Aqueduct has much more to do with a simple question:
Why was it built?
Back in 1726, Querétaro was one of the most prosperous and beautiful villages of New Spain, except it had a tiny problem: the supply of clean, drinking water to the city was scarce and inefficient.
The official story is that the Capuchin Nuns complained to their benefactor, who in turn promised to find a solution to the problem and not so long after, built The Arches.
But. As any good citizen of Querétaro will tell you, the official story is rumoured to be quite false.
Legend has it...that the Nuns' benefactor, Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana, Marquis of la Villa del Villar del Águila, was in love with a nun (even though records indicate he was married to a wealthy lady in the City). He repeatedly confessed his feelings to the nun in question, only for her to refuse his advances.
One lucky day however, she offered him a deal. She would accept to marry him if he found a way to bring clean water to the City.
The Marquis not only complied with her request; he personally planned, designed and sponsored the building of The Aqueduct, donating the majority of the funds from (you guessed it), his wife's fortune.
Finally, during October of 1738, The Aqueduct was finished and ready to start supplying Querétaro with clean water. The City organized a huge celebration which included parades, plays, balls & fireworks and lasted for about 15 days!
Very proudly, the Marquis went to ask for the nun's hand in marriage, and guess what?!
She refused him. Again.
Broken hearted, the Marquis never asked to marry the nun again, and contented with being the Capuchin's benefactor and one of Querétaro's most celebrated patrons. To this day, he is remembered as a local celebrity and philanthropist, and his memory is honoured in the Cemetery of Great Men & Women, along with Mrs. Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez and her husband (among others) who were crucial in starting the fight for Mexican Independence, and proud citizens of Querétaro.
