Maria Pia Bridge, 19th century railway bridge in Porto, Portugal
The Maria Pia Bridge extends 160 meters across the Douro River with its wrought iron truss arch design connecting Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
Engineer Gustave Eiffel completed this railroad bridge in 1877, making it the longest single-arch span in the world at that time.
The bridge received its name from Queen Maria Pia of Savoy and earned recognition as a National Monument of Portugal in 1982.
The structure served as a critical railway connection until 1991, when a modern bridge replaced it for transportation requirements.
The bridge features a parabolic arch rising 37.5 meters, demonstrating advanced engineering methods that influenced future bridge construction.
Location: Bonfim
Location: Santa Marinha e São Pedro da Afurada
Location: Oliveira do Douro
Inception: October 31, 1877
Architects: Gustave Eiffel
Official opening: 1877
Height: 61.2 m
Length: 160 m
Longest Span: 160 m
GPS coordinates: 41.13982,-8.59702
Latest update: May 27, 2025 09:57
Metal bridges by Gustave Eiffel and his company connect cities and regions. These constructions span rivers and valleys in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. The structures demonstrate technical innovations of the 19th and early 20th centuries, with a focus on iron engineering.
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