Spain: Roman Bridge, Salamanca
- Matthew P G
- Sep 25
- 2 min read
July 2015
Some historians date the construction of the bridge to the first century A.D. in the times of Emperor Trajan. The bridge crosses one of the widest stretches of the Tormes River and is located on rocky subsoil. It is 176 m long and 3.70 m wide with 26 round arches and robust pillars. It forms part of the Roman Silver Road that linked Merida and Astorga.
Salamanca had already swept me away with its great cathedral, old university, and ancient library. I had no idea that it also holds a bridge from the Roman Era that is still in use (pedestrian only these days). That bridge was the first of its type I saw in Spain - still intact and useable. I was completely floored - it is 2000 years old and still fulfilling the original purpose. Highway bridges in the US barely last 50 years and are made of "superior" materials (with a lot of concrete - learned from the Romans). I wonder why stone has been abandoned as a building material.
I continue to be amazed that building things more cheaply that do not withstand the test of time continues to be standard, modern practice. The Rockville Bridge (railroad) in Harrisburg, PA is the longest of its type in the world. Built of stone in 1909, it is still in heavy use. The Veteran's Memorial Bridge between Wrightsville and Columbia has been repaired once in my lifetime and is due for another extensive renovation soon. It was constructed of reinforced concrete in 1930. Stone might be more expensive, but it appears to need less upkeep (which is overall cheaper).
That bridge in Salamanca remains after 2000 years. I guess the Rockville Bridge will likely be there a long time, too.
Mankind's collective memory - does it have to be almost always zero?
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