Ponte Vella

Ponte Vella (Galician, "old bridge", Ponte Romana (Roman bridge), Ponte Maior (high bridge)) is a medieval footbridge built on Roman foundations in Ourense, Spain. Located at the intersection of N120 and Rua Progreso, it spans the Minho River. Its steep rise of Шаблон:Convert above the Minho River makes for safe passage during flash floods. At one time, it was considered to be the biggest bridge in all of Spain.

Geography

The bridge is situated in front of a chapel, connecting Ourense and Santiago de Compostela. The Ponte Maior was the only access across the Minho River until another bridge was constructed in 1816, while Ponte Milenio, a modern bridge, was built later in the millennium.

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. 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), and repaired in 1449 by Bishop Pedro de Silva. It then measured Шаблон:Convert long, with an arch span of Шаблон:Convert. However, the main arch collapsed in 1499 and the bridge was rebuilt in 1679 to a length of Шаблон:Convert with seven arched spans, the main span measuring Шаблон:Convert. The height of the bridge above the water level is Шаблон:Convert.

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Tiberio Murias
28 December 2014
Vista de picado. Só paso de persoas. Crossing only people.
Xabier Cid
24 December 2011
Roman means Middle Age, not Rome. But don't tell that to local people! (still one of the pillars comes from Rome's Roman architects
Chema Casanova
12 July 2011
Mandatory monument to visit in Ourense. Roman bridge over the river mi?
Bustillo Bustillo
30 October 2011
El puente de Ourense conocido como indistintamente como Ponte Romano, Ponte Vella o Puente Mayor, sobre el río Miño, fue construido en siglo I d. C. dentro de un ramal de la vía XVIII o Vía Nova.
Belén Presas
2 June 2015
Con el Río Miño a sus pies, para hacer fotos desde sus balcones.
Pasteleria Royal O Carballiño
Símbolo de Ourense.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
7.3/10
958 people have been here
Map
Rúa Ponte Romana, 7I, 32001 Ourense, Province of Ourense, Spain Get directions
Mon-Sun 24 Hours

Ponte Romana de Ourense on Foursquare

Ponte Vella on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Hotel Princess

starting $58

Gran Hotel Ourense San Martín

starting $103

Carris Cardenal Quevedo

starting $133

NH Ourense Hotel

starting $112

Hotel Francisco II

starting $81

Hotel Miño

starting $35

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Ourense Cathedral

Ourense Cathedral (Catedral de Ourense or Catedral do San Martiño) is

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad (Orense)

A igrexa da Santísima Trindade de Ourense é un templo parroquial de e

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Castro de San Cibrao de Las

San Cibrao de Las Höyüğü, A Ciudá, Lambrica, Lansbrica veya Lano

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monastery of Santa María de Oseira

The monastery of Oseira is a Trappist monastery in Galicia, Spain.

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monastery of San Vicente do Pino

The Monastery of San Vicente do Pino is a monastery in Monforte de

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Castro Laboreiro Castle

The Castle of Castro Laboreiro (Castelo de Castro Laboreiro) is a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monastery of Santa María de Aciveiro

Mosteiro de Santa María de Aciveiro is a monastery in Galicia, Spain.

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Sobroso Castle

Sobroso Castle (Spanish: Castillo de Sobroso, Galician: Castelo de

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Galata Bridge

The Galata Bridge (in Turkish Galata Köprüsü) is a bridge that sp

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
碓氷第三橋梁 (めがね橋)

碓氷第三橋梁 (めがね橋) is a tourist attraction, one of the Bridges in Sakamoto

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Rama IX Bridge

Rama IX Bridge is a bridge in Bangkok, Thailand over the Chao Phraya

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Suramadu Bridge

The Suramadu Bridge (Indonesian: Jembatan Suramadu), also known as the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Dom Luís I Bridge

The Dom Luís I (or Luiz I) Bridge (português. Ponte Luís I or Luiz I)

See all similar places