[MR] BBC: Medieval Aqueducts in Arid Switzerland

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Yes, the title is improbable, but there were many improbable things in the
medieval world, and these Swiss aqueducts are not only for real, but still
in use over 500 years.

The southwest corner of Switzerland, known as the Valais region, is
actually very, very dry. In the 15th century the Swiss built a system of
aqueducts and channels to move glacial melt water to their terraced fields,
vineyards and orchards. Some of the aqueducts were just earthen ditches,
but others were cut into solid rock, or flowed through wooden troughs and
pipes.

The channels are called "bisses", and are maintained and watched over by
officers known as "bisse guards". They are the ones with the keys to the
sluice gates, and ensure there is a fair allocation of water to each farmer
on that particular bisse. They also guard against water thieves, who have
sometimes tapped the channels to get extra water for their own farms.

The story with some lovely, and improbable, photographs can be seen at
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210721-switzerlands-gravity-defying-solution
 .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆