Everyone in Segovia knows the truth—there were no Romans involved. At least, that’s what the legend says. According to local folklore, the city’s famous aqueduct wasn’t built by ancient engineers but by none other than the devil himself. And he did it all in a single night, hoping to steal the soul of a young woman in return.

Almost twenty centuries have passed, yet the story remains as alive as ever.

A Deal with the Devil

Once upon a time, in a city nestled at the foot of the mountains, there lived a young woman burdened with a grueling daily task. Every morning, she had to walk over 16 kilometers to fetch water from a distant spring. The journey was exhausting, especially given Segovia’s steep, hilly streets. Tired and frustrated, she let the wind carry her whispered wish: she would give anything—even her soul—if she could have water brought straight to her door.

The devil, always quick to seize an opportunity, appeared at once. He proposed a deal: he would build an aqueduct overnight, and by morning, the water would flow directly to her home. In return, her soul would be his.

With no other way to ease her burden, the young woman agreed.

A Race Against the Sun

Without wasting a moment, the devil summoned his minions, and together they began stacking massive stones, one upon another, without mortar, just as the aqueduct still stands today. A fierce storm raged through the mountains, helping the demons lift the heavy granite blocks from the earth. The night echoed with their frantic work, the sky flashing as if nature itself bore witness to their dark bargain.

As the structure neared completion, the young woman watched in horror. She had acted out of laziness and desperation, but now, faced with the consequences, she was overcome with regret. She prayed and prayed, pleading for salvation.

Whether it was luck, divine intervention, or sheer chance, the dawn arrived earlier than expected. The first rays of sunlight stretched across the city, roosters crowed, and the devil let out a furious cry—he was just one stone short of finishing his masterpiece. He had lost the wager. The girl’s soul remained her own.

Defeated, the devil vanished, leaving behind the magnificent aqueduct that still stands today. They say you can still see his claw marks on the stones.

A Monument to Legend

While historians will tell you that the aqueduct was built by the Romans—an incredible feat of engineering standing 30 meters high with 167 arches stretching from the Fuenfría spring—many Segovians prefer the devil’s version of events.

And in true Segovian style, the legend has been immortalized in modern times. At the top of yet another steep hill—Cuesta de San Juan—a playful statue of the devil now stands, taking a selfie with his unfinished masterpiece. Visitors are welcome to join him, capturing a snapshot of the aqueduct, the legend, and the mischievous architect behind it all.

After all, whether it was Roman ingenuity or a devilish deal, there’s no denying—it’s a hell of a monument.