Alconétar Roman bridge

On the section of the Silver Way between Mérida and Astorga you can find Alconétar Bridge, built in Roman times to make it easier to carry goods between the north and south of the Peninsula.

This bridge, also called Mantible Bridge, was built where the Almonte River flows into the Tagus. Later on it was known as Alconétar, was almost 300 metres long and was supported by twelve arches.

It was built using granite ashlar blocks and it was wide enough for two carriages to cross at the same time. Its most original features, however, are the segmental arches and cutwaters divided into sections with cornices on top.

Although it survived for many centuries, part of the bridge was destroyed on purpose as part of the strategy during the Reconquest battles. Today we see part of the original bridge and part of the reconstruction carried out by the Knights Templar.