Pont Palanques Vermelles, Metal footbridge in Girona, Spain
Pont Palanques Vermelles is a pedestrian bridge made of red cast iron that crosses the Onyar River, linking Santa Clara Street to Rambla de la Libertad in central Girona. The structure displays arch and truss work typical of nineteenth-century metal engineering, spanning the water with a series of iron supports.
The bridge was completed in 1877 by the engineering firm that would later construct the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This earlier project allowed the company to refine metal-arch techniques before their most famous undertaking.
The bridge reflects how Girona embraced industrial progress in the 1800s, becoming a symbol of modernization along the Onyar riverside. Its red metal form remains a landmark that residents and visitors cross daily when moving between neighborhoods.
The bridge provides pedestrians with a direct crossing between the historical center and newer districts while framing views of the surrounding riverfront buildings. The open iron design means walkers can see the water and architecture clearly from the bridge itself.
This bridge was completed before the Eiffel Tower even began construction, meaning the engineering firm had already perfected their metal-work methods on this project. The fact that such an important step in their development happened here in Girona is often overlooked.
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