Pont de Llierca, Medieval stone bridge in Tortellà, Spain

Pont de Llierca is a stone bridge built in the medieval period that carries people across the Llierca River between Tortellà and Sadernes in the Garrotxa region. The structure features a simple arch design typical of bridges from that era and sits within a valley surrounded by forested hillsides.

Construction date is unknown; use is documented from at least the 14th century, and A. Cuéllar Bassols dates it to the 12th century under the lords of Llierca. It was probably built by the barons of Sales to link farmhouses west of the Llierca with Tortellà and Besalú, and it likely charged a pontatge toll on people, livestock and goods.

The bridge is also called Pont de Sadernes, and its name comes from the Llierca River it crosses. It was probably built by the barons of Sales to link farmhouses west of the river with Tortellà and Besalú, and travellers with livestock and goods paid a toll called pontatge. The single round arch, about 3 m wide, was sized for people, cattle and merchandise.

The bridge is reached on foot from Tortellà or Sadernes; the deck is under three metres wide and has solid stone parapets on both sides. The single arch rises 28 metres above the Llierca, so the crossing is narrow and exposed. Walkers can link it with paths toward the Gorgs de Sadernes and the Garrotxa volcanic region.

The bridge is probably one of the oldest toll routes in Catalonia: its promoters levied a pontatge on travellers crossing with goods and livestock, the same right that barcatge charged on boats and portatge on those entering a lord's land. The 52 m structure is taller than it is wide, with a single arch rising 28 m above the Llierca.