Ponte Vella
Appearance
Ponte Vella | |
---|---|
Minho River | |
Locale | Ourense, Galicia, Spain |
Official name | Ponte Vella |
Other name(s) | Ponte Romana Ponte Maior |
Characteristics | |
Design | Arch bridge |
Total length | 373 metres (1,224 ft) |
Longest span | 43 metres (141 ft) |
Clearance below | 38 metres (125 ft) |
History | |
Opened | 1230 |
Location | |
![]() |
Ponte Vella (
Geography
The bridge is situated in front of a
Minho River until another bridge was constructed in 1816,[5] while Ponte Milenio, a modern bridge, was built later in the millennium.[6]
History
The original bridge across the Minho River was built during the first century rule of
Emperor Augustus though other sources state that it was built during the Trajan period. A mention is made of this bridge in the will of Doña Urraca, where it is said that it was repaired with funds provided by Ferdinand III.[5][4][6] From the Middle Ages, it has provided access to the city of Ourense for trade and pilgrimage. The structure was rebuilt in 1230 by Bishop Lorenzo on Roman foundations (original piers[6]),[7][8] and repaired in 1449 by Bishop Pedro de Silva. It then measured 1,319 feet (402 m) long, with an arch span of 156 feet (48 m).[2] However, the main arch collapsed in 1499 and the bridge was rebuilt in 1679 to a length of 370 metres (1,210 ft) with seven arched spans, the main span measuring 43 metres (141 ft). The height of the bridge above the water level is 38 metres (125 ft).[2][5][9]
See also
- List of Roman bridges
- Roman architecture
- Roman engineering
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ponte Maior de Ourense.
- ISBN 978-1-4262-0955-0. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ a b c Ford, Richard (1878). A Handbook for Travellers in Spain (Public domain ed.). J. Murray. p. 250.
- ISBN 978-0-300-14246-4. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Guide Orense". euroresidentes.com. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
- ^ a b c "Ponte Vella" (in Spanish). Turgalicia. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-86011-395-6. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-74104-554-3. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-9731698-1-2.
- ^ "Ponte Vella" (in Spanish). Structurae. Retrieved 23 July 2013.