Culture

Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge)

The Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge) of Zamora, also known as the New Bridge, is a viaduct located over the waters of the River Duero in the vicinity of the city of Zamora. It connects the town with the suburbs on the other side of the river.

The name of the bridge is derived from the Latin expression Pontem Novum, which refers to the existence of an ancient Roman bridge of earlier construction. The remains of this bridge can still be seen on the banks of the river.

In historical terms, both viaducts were part of the Roman road known as the Iter ab Emerita Asturicam, also known as the Silver Road. This road connected Mérida with Astorga.

Following the destruction of the previous bridge in 1310, the construction of this bridge became the sole means of crossing the River Duero.

The structure was employed for the transportation of passengers, goods, and livestock. Furthermore, the route connected the suburbs with the historic centre of Zamora, including the neighbourhoods of Cabañales, San Frontis, Sepulcro and Carrascal, among others.

During the Spanish War of Independence in the early 19th century, the central span of the bridge was destroyed to prevent Napoleon's troops from entering the city. By the end of the century, the bridge's deplorable state of preservation necessitated its closure to traffic. Subsequently, the Puente de Hierro was constructed and inaugurated in 1900, while the Puente de los Poetas was erected in 2013. The year in which the Puente de Piedra becomes a pedestrian viaduct.

The New Bridge has its origins in the 12th century, making it one of the oldest surviving viaducts in the town.

The current structure of the object in question is the result of a series of modifications that have been made to it. The most notable reform was that carried out at the beginning of the 20th century by the engineer Luis de Justo, which was characterised by a marked degree of aggressiveness.

The construction of the bridge resulted in the removal of most of the ornamental elements that previously decorated it, as well as the two towers that bordered the access to the bridge. The project was developed in 11 stages with the objective of increasing accessibility for automobile traffic.

The ancient towers had a triple function in the Middle Ages. They served as a surveillance element, allowing the control of the passage of goods and guaranteeing the collection of the tax on the portage. The latter was a tax on the right of transit that was maintained in Zamora until the 19th century.

The original design comprised 15 pointed arches, with cutwaters, spurs, relief oculi and arches, which were intended to counteract the thrust of the waters of the Duero. Nevertheless, the current structure comprises 16 pointed arches, with spillways in the form of arches on piers and triangular-shaped cutwaters.