Alcántara Bridge

The Alcantara Bridge (aka Puente Trajan at Alcantara) is a Roman stone arch bridge built over the Tagus River at Alcantara, Spain between 104 and 106 by an order of the Roman Emperor Trajan in 98. It bears the inscription Pontem perpetui mansurum in saecula on the archway over the central pier.

Alcantara Bridge

Crosses                                             Tagus River

Locale                                               Alcantara, Spain

Designer                                           Caius Julius Lacer

Design                                               Roman arch bridge

Material                                            Stone

Number of spans                               6

Longest span                                    28.8 metres (94 ft)

Total length                                     194 metres (640 ft)

Width                                               8 metres (26 ft)

Height                                              71 metres (230 ft)

Load limit                                         52 t

Beginning date of construction       104

Completion date                              106

History

The Alcántara Bridge has taken more damage from war than from the elements. The Moors destroyed the smallest arch on one side in 1214. This was rebuilt in 1543 with stone from the original quarries. The second arch on the other side was destroyed by the Spanish to stop the Portuguese, and was repaired in 1762 by Charles III, only to be blown up again in 1809 to stop the French. Temporary repairs made in 1819 were replaced in 1860 with mortared masonry.