Puente del Ayuntamiento, Iron drawbridge in Bilbao, Spain
Puente del Ayuntamiento is an iron drawbridge crossing the Nervión River in central Bilbao, measuring approximately 150 meters in length and 20 meters in width. The structure carries both vehicular and pedestrian traffic between the Abando and Begoña districts.
The bridge was built in 1934 following engineering designs inspired by Chicago's Michigan Avenue Bridge, bringing transatlantic construction expertise to Bilbao. It was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War in 1937 but reconstructed by 1941.
The bridge design follows the engineering principles of Chicago's Michigan Avenue Bridge, representing a transfer of architectural knowledge between continents.
The bridge is easily accessible on foot and by vehicle during daylight hours, directly connecting both riverbanks in the city center. Crossing is straightforward at any time, though daytime visits offer better visibility of the surrounding riverfront.
The bridge's lifting mechanism was permanently sealed in 1969 when river traffic in this section of the Nervión ended. This abandoned function serves as a reminder of the Nervión's past importance as a shipping corridor through the city.
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