Puente Nuevo, Stone bridge in Ronda, Spain.
Puente Nuevo is a stone crossing over the El Tajo gorge in Ronda, Spain, rising 98 meters above the Guadalevín River and featuring three arches built from carved blocks. It measures 66 meters in length, with the central arch having the widest span and supported by massive piers anchored deep into the rock.
Work began in 1759 after the collapse of an earlier bridge in 1741 that killed over fifty people. Construction continued until 1793, permanently connecting the two halves of Ronda.
The name of the structure refers to its period of construction and distinguishes it from older crossings, though it has itself stood for centuries. Visitors today see balconies and viewpoints along both sides that offer views down into the gorge and the water flowing below.
Pedestrians and vehicles use the crossing daily, with walkways on both sides inviting views of the surroundings. Visitors seeking the viewpoints should expect narrow passages and occasional gusts of wind at the heights.
Ernest Hemingway mentioned the site in his novel 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' in connection with events that took place here during the conflict of the 1930s. The writer drew on local memory to shape scenes that brought international attention to this corner of southern Spain.
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