The Roman Bridge

You’re now standing on Merida’s Roman bridge, one of the longest bridges built in Antiquity! During the Roman Empire, it spanned the Guadiana River in two parts, with a break in the middle on a central embankment. This bridge was the first structure built in Augusta Emerita, around the 1st century BC. It laid the foundation for the city’s importance as the key hub of the western Iberian Peninsula’s road network. Not only was Merida the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, but this new stone bridge made it much easier to cross the Guadiana. All the major Roman roads passed through here, like the Vía de la Plata, or “Silver Route,” which ran north to south across Hispania, as well as routes heading toward Lisbon, Córdoba, Toledo, and Zaragoza. All roads really did lead to Merida. The bridge is made from solid-cut granite and consists of 60 semicircular arches. The last three were hidden for centuries and uncovered in 1990 during restoration work. Roman engineers built spillways between the arches, gaps which helped floodwaters flow through without destroying the structure. The original plans and much of the construction happened during the reign of Emperor Augustus, but the bridge has been repaired and restored many times over the centuries. It was still in use by cars until 1993! Today, it’s reserved for pedestrians only. The bridge currently measures 792 meters in length and stands 12 meters above the water. Changes to the riverbed and restorations have altered its former Roman appearance, but this bridge remains one of the most impressive examples of Roman civil engineering. It’s no surprise it’s recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.