The thermal baths in the town hall basement needed a lot of water, so the Romans must have built an aqueduct to deliver the enormous quantities required. Unfortunately, there is no trace of such a structure. However, the need for water never went away, so King João III decided to offer the city a new aqueduct that, fortunately, still stands in excellent condition. Construction began in 1532 and was completed in five years. The aqueduct brought water to a marble fountain with lions in Praça do Giraldo from a source 18 kilometres (11 miles) outside the city. King João III and the royal court attended the inauguration, a day of great joy for the people of Évora. A Roman triumphal arch was also erected in the square to commemorate the event. The lion fountain and the Roman arch were demolished during the subsequent remodelling of Praça do Giraldo.