The Roman Bridge

While strolling along the banks of the Río Tormes, you’ll notice plenty of bridges connecting both sides of the city. Most of them are open to cars, but there’s one that stands apart—and it’s by far the most beautiful. You’re now looking at the Roman Bridge. According to legend, it was built by Hercules, the son of Zeus and a hero of ancient Greek mythology. But if we set the myths aside, historians believe it was likely constructed in the 1st century AD, during the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan. Whichever story you choose to believe, one thing’s for sure—this bridge didn’t appear here by chance. Out of its 26 arches stretching across 176 metres, only the first fifteen on the city side are original, which have withstood centuries of river floods without being rebuilt. Back in the day, this was Salamanca’s only point of entry and it also lay along the famous Vía de la Plata—a pilgrimage route stretching nearly a thousand kilometres, linking Seville in the south with Astorga in the north. Because of its deep roots in the city’s history, the Roman Bridge is featured on Salamanca’s coat of arms, right next to the weathered granite boar you’ll spot at the entrance. Though it’s missing its head, this ancient statue is a powerful symbol of the Vettones, a warrior people of Celtic origin who lived in the region before the Romans arrived.