The Puente Nuevo, or “New Bridge,” is located in the historic town of Ronda in southern Spain.
It spans a dramatic 120-meter-deep (390ft) chasm carved by the the Guadalevín River.
This magnificent structure not only connects two halves of the city but also bridges centuries of history.
The Construction of Puente Nuevo
The Puente Nuevo is the newest and largest of Ronda’s three bridges (Puente Nuevo, Puente Viejo and Puente Romano).
Its construction began in 1759. After 34 years of hard labor, it was finally completed in 1793.
The bridge was designed by the talented architect José Martin de Aldehuela and constructed under the guidance of chief builder Juan Antonio Díaz Machuca.
Their collaboration resulted in a bridge that would withstand the test of time, unlike its ill-fated predecessor.
The Tragic Tale of Predecessor
Before the Puente Nuevo, Ronda had an earlier bridge with a tragic story.
The first bridge was built in 1735 by architects Jose Garcia and Juan Camacho.
It was hastily constructed in just eight months, and tragically collapsed in 1741, taking 50 lives with it.
Design
The Puente Nuevo rises over 98 meters above the Tajo Gorge.
The bridge features solid stone blocks arranged in a series of graceful arches.
At the center of the bridge is a chamber, which has served various purposes over the years, including a grim chapter as a prison.
During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), both sides allegedly used this chamber as a torture site, with some prisoners reportedly thrown from the windows to the rocks below.
Today, this chamber houses an exhibition detailing the bridge’s fascinating history and construction.
