Barra de Santa Lucía Bridge, Swing bridge in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The Barra de Santa Lucía Bridge is a swing structure that crosses the Santa Lucía River where it meets the bay. The central section rotates to allow ships to pass through while the rest remains open for vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
The structure was built in 1924 as a feat of engineering from that era. It gained official recognition as a cultural heritage monument of Uruguay in 2017.
The bridge links neighborhoods on either side of the river and functions as a daily passage where people move through different parts of the city. Its industrial form has become a recognizable landmark in the local landscape.
It is best to cross outside peak traffic hours when movement is easier. Sidewalks and bicycle paths make it accessible for different types of travelers.
The rotation of the bridge is tied to shipping activity on the river and reveals something about the maritime movement in the region. This moving part transforms it into more than a static crossing between two shores.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
