Pont de les Peixateries Velles, Metal passageway over Onyar River in Girona, Spain
Pont de les Peixateries Velles is a red iron bridge that spans across the Onyar River in Girona, connecting the old city with the Mercadal neighborhood. The structure serves as both a pedestrian pathway and bicycle crossing, facilitating daily movement between Calle Santa Clara and Rambla de la Libertad.
The bridge was built in 1876 by Eiffel et Cie, representing an early engineering project by the company before its later fame. This construction came at a time when iron structures were transforming cities across Europe with new possibilities for spanning water and connecting neighborhoods.
The bridge takes its name from fish markets that once thrived in this area, connecting visitors today to Girona's medieval trade heritage. You can still sense this commercial past as you walk through the surrounding streets where the river's edge shaped the city's early commerce.
You can cross at any time, though the metal surface can become slippery in wet weather or during high river levels, so watch your step. Daytime hours offer the best experience with clearer visibility and lighter foot and bicycle traffic.
The structure underwent major restoration in 2008 while preserving its original 19th-century industrial design language. This careful work shows how historic iron bridges can be reinforced with modern techniques while keeping their authentic appearance intact.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.