A glimpse into a vanished Muslim city through its bridge remains

Puente del Cadí stands tall over the river Darro in Granada, with only one of its two pillars remaining. This structure was built in 1055, during the Zirid dynasty and Cadi of King Badis, serving as a connection between the city and the river. Today, only a few relics hint at its former grandeur. However, the bridge's high height and narrow width suggest it may have served as a wall passage over the river, rather than a traditional bridge. The structure's fabric is made of sandstone and houses two spiral staircases, forming a labyrinth leading into oblivion. Puente del Cadí is part of the Alhambra's management perimeter and is declared a Monumento histórico-artístico, making it a monument of cultural interest.

According to architect Torres Balbás, who oversaw the Alhambra in the mid-20th century, the current remains may not fully correspond to the Puente del Cadí as depicted in ancient sources. If his thesis is correct, the current remains would represent a wall passage over the river, consistent with the bridge's high height and narrow width.

Note that the text has been reworded to remove constrictions.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons