Puente de Alcántara, Toledo, Roman bridge at Toledo, Spain
The Puente de Alcántara is a stone bridge crossing the Tagus River with two main arches and a tower on its western side. On the eastern approach stands a baroque arch that functions as a grand entrance gate to the medieval city.
The bridge was first built during Roman times, around the third century, and has been a crossing point ever since. Major repairs under King Alfonso X in the thirteenth century reshaped it into the form we see today.
The bridge takes its name from the Arabic word al-qantarah, a reminder of the many peoples—Romans, Arabs, and Christians—who built and rebuilt it over the centuries. Walking across it today, you can sense these layers of different builders in the stonework.
The bridge connects the eastern side of Toledo to a free parking area outside the city walls, serving as the main entry point to the medieval center. It's best visited on foot to appreciate the stonework and enjoy views of the river below.
The western tower displays the coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs without the pomegranate symbol, revealing that it was completed before Granada joined their realm. This detail is a quiet record of Spain's unification timeline carved into stone.
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