Puente de la Merced, Road bridge in San Francisco district, Bilbao, Spain
Puente de la Merced is a metal bridge serving both pedestrians and vehicles as it crosses the Bilbao estuary, linking the Old Town with San Francisco district. The structure features ornate lampposts and has been rebuilt to maintain its role as a key crossing point.
The original wooden bridge built in 1875 was replaced by an iron structure in 1887, then destroyed in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. The current version was rebuilt in 1938 and retained the name of the nearby 17th-century convent.
The eight cast iron street lamps display pairs of winged figures that catch the eye of visitors and photographers. These details shape the character of the passage between neighborhoods and speak to the craftsmanship of earlier times.
The bridge is open and accessible to both pedestrians and vehicles, providing a direct route between the Old Town and the neighboring quarter. Crossing offers good views of the waterway and makes it easy to navigate between both sides.
The bridge was named after the nearby Merced convent founded in 1621, which now operates as a modern concert and cultural venue. This historic building next door creates an interesting contrast between its religious past and present-day use.
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