The Roman Bridge of Alcantara
This is a magnificent piece of engineering, built in the times of Trajan, 2nd century, by the architect Caius Julius Lacer. This important monument has a height of 57 metres, is 214 metres long and 8 metres wide. The bridge is supported on six graceful arches over five big pillars. In the center stands the Arch of Triumph with some memorial tablets.
Roman Bridge of Alcantara
The name of the bridge comes from the Arabic name al-Qantarat, meaning ‘the Bridge’, as they were impressed by the magnificence of this bridge.
The Bridge of Alcántara was built about 106 AD by the Roman architect Cayo Iulio Lacer on the road that connects Norba (Cáceres) with Conimbriga (now the Portuguese city of Condeixa-a-Velha).
The bridge is composed of six great arches (some of them are about 30 metres wide) and covers a distance of 214 metres over the Tajo river. The arches rest on five big rectangular pillars. The central arches rise over 48 metres above the normal water level. The road of the bridge is 57 metres high.
All these measures are very impressive, but they are simply functional and come from the need to span a deep river with huge increases in water volume.
Roman Bridge of Alcantara
In the center of the bridge, on the roadway, there is a Triumphal Arch that has been restored many times over the centuries. It is about 14 metres high and has some inscriptions with the date of construction and words about Emperor Trajan.
Triumphal Arch in the Bridge of Alcantara
The first and second arches (near the temple) have been destroyed many times to defend the city of Alcántara (located on a height near the bridge), cutting the way for enemy troops. The first time was in the 13th century, and the bridge stayed broken for about two centuries. The second was in the middle of the 17th century, in the wars with Portugal. And the third was in the 19th century, in the Spanish War of Independence against France.
Bridge of Alcantara broken in the middle of the 19th century
The bridge was finally repaired and restored in the middle of the 19th century, by Queen Isabel II. And later, in 1969, when the Tagus river was blocked by the Dam of Alcántara, the main pillars were repaired to ensure the bridge’s health.
Near the bridge, on the side nearest the city, there is a little Roman temple with the name of the Roman architect and the inscription: may it last (the bridge) as long as the world would last.
Little Roman temple near the Bridge of Alcantara
At the other side of the bridge, there is a defensive tower called Torre del Oro (golden tower), built in the 18th century.
Torre del Oro near the Bridge of Alcantara