Ponte Vella
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox bridge
|name= Ponte Vella
|image= Roman bridge, Ourense (Spain).jpg
| image_upright= 1.2
|caption= Ponte Vella
|official_name= Ponte Vella
|also_known_as= Ponte Romana
Ponte Maior
|carries= Accessible to pedestrians only
|crosses= Minho River
|locale= Ourense, Galicia, Spain
|maint=
|id=
|design= Arch bridge
|mainspan= {{convert|43|m|ft|0}}
|length= {{convert|373|m|ft|0}}
|width=
|clearance=
|below= {{convert|38|m|ft|0}}
|traffic=
|open= 1230
|closed=
|toll=
|coordinates={{coord|42|20|43|N|7|52|7|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
}}
Ponte Vella (Galician, "old bridge", Ponte Romana (Roman bridge), Ponte Maior (great bridge)) is a medieval footbridge built on Roman foundations in Ourense, Spain. Located at the intersection of N120 and Rua Progreso,{{cite book|last=Dunlop|first=Fiona|title=National Geographic Traveler: Spain, Fourth Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HCHR34LqBR8C&pg=PA98|accessdate=25 July 2013|year=2012|publisher=National Geographic Society|isbn=978-1-4262-0955-0|page=98}} it spans the Minho River. Its steep rise of {{convert|135|ft}} above the Minho River makes for safe passage during flash floods.{{cite book|last=Ford|first=Richard|title=A Handbook for Travellers in Spain|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xtwtAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA250|edition=Public domain|year=1878|publisher=J. Murray|page=250}} At one time, it was considered to be the biggest bridge in all of Spain.{{cite book|last=Thomas|first=Hugh|title=Eduardo Barreiros and the Recovery of Spain|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mylkgw7hEf8C&pg=PA26|accessdate=25 July 2013|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-14246-4|page=26}}
Geography
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.turgalicia.es/sit/ficha_datos.asp?ordRs=4&ctre=122&crec=7387&idversion=1-49FSTN&refnumber2=01020307&cidi=E|title=Ponte Vella| language=Spanish|accessdate=23 July 2013|publisher= Turgalicia}}{{cite web|title=Guide Orense|url=http://www.euroresidentes.com/viajes/guias/guia-de-orense.htm|work=euroresidentes.com|accessdate=24 July 2013}}{{cite book|last1=Facaros|first1=Dana|last2=Pauls|first2=Michael|title=Northern Spain|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=10YpDcz8CnQC&pg=PA356|accessdate=23 July 2013|date=1 March 2009|publisher=New Holland Publishers|isbn=978-1-86011-395-6|page=356}} 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),{{cite book|title=Spain|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WttmSt7kPmMC&pg=PA572|accessdate=23 July 2013|year=2007|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74104-554-3|page=572}}{{cite book|last1=Cole|first1=Ben|last2=Davies|first2=Bethan|title=Walking the Via de la Plata: The Camino De Santiago from Sevilla to Santiago De Compostela|url=
https://books.google.com/books?id=1mR76LsL4TAC&pg=PA167|year=2004|publisher=Pili Pala Press|isbn=978-0-9731698-1-2|page=167}} and repaired in 1449 by Bishop Pedro de Silva. It then measured {{convert|1319|ft}} long, with an arch span of {{convert|156|ft}}. However, the main arch collapsed in 1499 and the bridge was rebuilt in 1679 to a length of {{convert|370|m}} with seven arched spans, the main span measuring {{convert|43|m}}. The height of the bridge above the water level is {{convert|38|m}}.{{Cite web|url=http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0016503|title= Ponte Vella|language=Spanish|accessdate=23 July 2013|publisher=Structurae}}
File:Puente romano.jpg
File:Bridge, Ourense (Spain), Minho River.jpg
File:Ourense 12 30-07-2008.jpg
See also
References
{{commons category|Ponte Maior de Ourense}}
{{Reflist}}
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1230
Category:Bridges in Galicia (Spain)
Category:Pedestrian bridges in Spain