Bridge of Arce, Road bridge in Piélagos, Spain
The Bridge of Arce is a road crossing over the Pas River featuring five stone arches of varying sizes, built using traditional regional masonry methods. The structure retains its original width of 3.5 meters and continues to function as an active passage for both vehicles and people.
Master stonemason Bartolomé de Hermosa from Liérganes oversaw the construction that was completed in 1585, establishing a connection between Santander and Torrelavega. The bridge emerged during a period when northern Spain was improving its main trade routes.
This bridge forms a key section of the Camino del Norte, the pilgrimage route that has connected travelers across northern Spain for centuries. The structure remains a working crossing point where modern visitors follow the same path as medieval pilgrims.
The crossing is accessible on foot and by vehicle, serving as an active route for modern traffic. The approach through the rocky terrain requires attention, particularly when water levels rise after heavy rain.
The structure displays a distinctive saddleback design where the arches form a curved profile rising at the center. This unusual shape allows river water during floods to pass more smoothly beneath the crossing.
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