The Roman bridge of Salamanca

The Roman bridge of Salamanca, also known as Puente Mayor del Tormes and as Puente Prinçipal, is a Roman bridge crossing the Tormes River in the city of Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain. The bridge, which dates to the period of Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula (between 27 BCE and 79 CE), provided access to the southern part of the city and is part of the historic road known as the Vía de la Plata, passing between Mérida and Astorga. The bridge is associated with legends that claim Hercules built it and the Roman Emperor Trajan rebuilt it.

The bridge has been rebuilt a number of times since its original construction, with the section on the right bank to the city of Salamanca retaining the majority of the original Roman construction. The bridge became a military target during the Battle of Salamanca in 1812, a turning point in the Peninsular War fought between British and Portuguese forces and the Napoleonic French. The day before the battle, the Duke of Wellington captured the bridge and nearby fords across the Tormes River to direct the attack against the French troops.

In contemporary times, modern vehicular bridges have replaced the Roman bridge of Salamanca for commerce. The bridge has subsequently been closed to all but pedestrians, while it retains its cultural and historic significance to the city of Salamanca. It was named an Artistic Historic Monument on 3 June 1931, and Bien de Interés Cultural in 1998.

A landmark at the bridge is the Verraco del Puente, a stone sculpture of a bull dating to the pre-Roman Vettones people. Although the sculpture is ancient, the first documented evidence of its placement at the bridge dates from the 13th century. The bridge remains a visible landmark alongside the New Cathedral, the Old Cathedral, La Clerecía, Plaza Mayor, and the Casa de las Conchas.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons