Ponte Duarte Coelho, Road bridge in Recife, Brazil
Ponte Duarte Coelho is a reinforced-concrete road bridge linking Boa Vista and Santo Antônio in central Recife. It carries the Avenida Conde da Boa Vista and Avenida Guararapes across the water, and its deck is used each year for the Galo da Madrugada rooster sculpture.
The first bridge, built in 1868 by the Brazilian Company Limited, was an all-metal structure carrying urban trains. It was deactivated in 1915 due to poor condition, and construction of its replacement began that same year. The second bridge, made of reinforced concrete, was inaugurated in 1943 under mayor Novaes Filho and has served car traffic ever since.
The bridge becomes the central gathering point during Carnival when the massive rooster sculpture of the Galo da Madrugada parade is displayed there. This annual celebration has made the location a symbol of local traditions and community spirit in the city.
The bridge is open at all times as a main traffic artery in the city. It is best visited during Carnival season to experience the festive atmosphere, though crowds can be quite large during this period.
The original structure earned the nickname Maxambomba Bridge, derived from the English term 'machine pump' referring to the locomotives that once crossed it. This local name has largely faded from memory but reflects the bridge's railway heritage.
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