Devil's bridge

Item: 1202
Martorell, Spain - C. I b.C
Scale: 1/200
Approx. Nº of pieces: 1.600
Difficulty degree: 6/10
Sizes (Mm.): 430 x 670 x 160

The monument and its history

The Bridge of Martorell, in the Barcelona Province (Spain), popularly known as the "Devil's Bridge" due to a legend, and previously as the bridge of San Bartomeu, is a bridge of Roman origin (end of the 1st century BC). It was rebuilt in the Gothic period, specifically between 1283 and 1295. It provides a crossing for the ancient Via Augusta, which connected Galia with Tarragona, and which reached Gades (Cádiz).
The Gothic bridge was restored in 1768 and 1933, and the triumphal arch in 1928. For nearly 20 centuries it resisted the waters of the River Llobregat, without suffering serious flaws, since it was a very strong construction. However, during the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939 it was destroyed and later rebuilt. The last and most substantial remodelling work dated back to the 1950s, promoted by the Barcelona Provincial Council. In 1931 the Bridge of Martorell was declared a National Monument.
The Bridge of Martorell in its current state is therefore the result of a series of reconstructions. Today only its foundations date back to its Roman origins. It comprises two unequal arches, a pointed vault with two arches on either side.
Entry onto the bridge is through a triumphal arch, today located in the district of Castellbisbal, since the river forms the border between this town and Martorell.