Puente Real, Badajoz

Puente Real is a cable-stayed crossing over the Guadiana River in Badajoz, with a distinctive A-shaped support tower rising roughly 81 meters above the water. The structure spans about 450 meters and contains four traffic lanes, bicycle paths, and wide pedestrian walkways.

The Spanish royal family laid the foundation stone for this transportation project in 1992, with construction completed two years later. The crossing was a major infrastructure initiative for the city following earlier planning phases during the 1980s.

This crossing joins separate neighborhoods and has become a gathering spot where locals and visitors naturally meet during walks. The wide pedestrian areas host informal social activities and conversations throughout the day.

The crossing accommodates vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians and is accessible at any time of day. Exploration works best during daylight hours when good light reveals views of the river and surrounding city below.

The structure relies on twenty-eight steel cables arranged in a fan-shaped pattern that resembles a harp when viewed from different angles. This arrangement serves both engineering function and makes the crossing a distinctive visual landmark recognizable from throughout the city.