In a remarkable display of resilience, the ancient Roman dam in Almonacid de la Cuba, Zaragoza, has once again proved its durability and effectiveness, holding back the waters that have wreaked havoc across much of Spain during the recent DANA storm.
Built during the reign of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century AD, this two-millennia-old structure has safeguarded the village from the severe flooding seen in other areas.
The storm, which has left over 100 fatalities and resulted in extensive damage, has devastated parts of Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia, and Andalucía. But thanks to the Roman dam’s design, the town of Almonacid de la Cuba has remained untouched by the torrent that has overwhelmed other regions. Video footage circulating on social media shows the dam’s reservoir filling to capacity, with water flowing down its cascade, effectively diverting the powerful currents and preventing local inundation.
Engineering feat of the Roman era
Standing as the tallest Roman dam still in existence, the “Cuba” dam was originally constructed in the latter half of the 1st century AD. Though abandoned around the 3rd century, it was repurposed during the Muslim period as a diversion point for irrigation systems in nearby Belchite. The dam’s structural endurance has now highlighted the lasting impact of Roman engineering, with many modern viewers expressing awe online at how this ancient infrastructure has continued to serve its purpose nearly 2,000 years later.
The aftermath of Spain’s deadliest DANA
This storm, now regarded as the deadliest DANA in Spain’s recorded history, has claimed more than 100 lives, with 91 deaths reported in Valencia alone, including 45 from the municipality of Paiporta. Rainfall totals approached 500 litres per square metre in some areas, exceeding even the most severe predictions from Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET.
The financial toll is expected to be staggering. The DANA of 2019 caused damages estimated at €425 million, and with greater destruction this time around, experts predict this year’s costs could far surpass previous records. As Spain faces the costly task of recovery, the enduring functionality of the Roman dam at Almonacid offers a silver lining—a testament to ancient engineering that continues to protect local communities in times of crisis