Levada Velha ou de Cima de São Jorge

Madrei

Ribeiro Do Bonito N 32°47.241 W 16°56.748 ca. 950 m a.s.l.

Course

Along the Ribeiro do Bonito on the steep flank of the Lombo de Ribeiro Lourenço, around the lombo westwards to the crossing of the Ribeiro de Sebastião Vaz. From here a little higher than today's Levada do Rei, past the forestry house in Achada do Negro to the car park that is now used for the walk on the Levada do Rei.

Here it probably split, like today's Levada do Rei, into 2 terminal branches. The southern branch ended in Pico; the northern one split again after 700 metres. The more southerly branch split once more, and both branches ended in Achada Grande. The more northerly branch ended in the Tanque area, the more southerly one in Eira do Pico

End

3 terminal branches: Tanque (ca. 330 m a.s.l.), Achada Grande (ca. 340 m a.s.l.), Pico (ca. 430 m a.s.l.)

Function and use

Water supply around Achada Grande and Sao Jorge; an essential part of the drinking-water supply of Sao Jorge and the surrounding area

Access

• From the Madre of the Levada do Rei via the river bed of the Ribeiro do Bonito

• From the crossing with the Ribeiro de Sebastião Vaz

• Descent from the transverse path over the Ribeiro do Bonito

Condition

Demanding, mostly ruined, partly exposed! Between the Ribeiro de Sebastião Vaz and the forestry house in Achada do Negro, parts of the old levada are still visible!

Year built

probably 1910-1926 (planned by the last king, Manuel II, who abdicated in 1910). It was built and completed when Portugal was already a republic. In memory of the king this levada was nevertheless named "Levada do Rei"). This levada may also be older, and the old "Levada do Rei" may correspond to the Levada do Escalferreiro.

Remarks

The levada was taken out of service when the Levada do Rei opened in 1966