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.
The bridge was built in the 14th century to serve mountain communities in northern Catalonia that would have been isolated without a river crossing. It provided a vital link for trade and everyday movement between settlements on either side of the Llierca River.
Built from local stone using traditional methods passed down through generations in Catalan mountain communities, the bridge reflects how people in this region adapted construction to their landscape. Today it remains a crossing point where locals and visitors encounter the working heritage of rural Catalonia.
The bridge is accessible on foot and situated in a peaceful valley that connects easily to local walking paths. Visitors often combine a visit here with nearby natural features like the Gorgs de Sadernes or walks through the surrounding volcanic region.
Many visitors pass through quickly, but taking time to examine the stonework reveals the hand-fitting technique used by medieval builders, where each stone was cut and placed individually without mortar. This approach to construction was adapted to the valley setting and remains visible in how the stones fit together with precision.
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