Puente de Cal y Canto

The bridge was a stone structure over the Mapocho River with nine arches and a length of 202 meters (663 feet). Today its remains are visible at Cal y Canto Metro Station, where visitors can view the massive foundations and portions of the arches.

Construction started in 1767 under the direction of Luis Manuel de Zañartu to connect the city center with the La Chimba district. The bridge was partially dismantled in 1888 after river channeling works and later fully removed through detonation.

The name refers to the binding method used to join stones with lime, mixing eggs into the mortar to increase its strength. This construction technique was common in colonial times and shows how craftsmen combined local resources with European methods.

The remains are located inside Cal y Canto Metro Station, accessible via the green Line 2 during regular operating hours. Visitors can view the foundations from the platform without needing to take extra pathways or stairs.

Prisoners were used to build the bridge, which was common practice for public construction projects during colonial times. The stones came from nearby Cerro Blanco quarry, still visible today as a hill in the urban landscape.

Location: Santiago commune

GPS coordinates: -33.43270,-70.65160

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:27