Ponte Eiffel, Iron bridge in Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Ponte Eiffel is an iron bridge spanning about 645 meters across the Lima River, connecting Viana do Castelo with the Darque district. The structure has two levels: above are roads for vehicles and walkways for people, while below sits the railway track.
Construction finished in 1878 and replaced an earlier wooden bridge that had served the same crossing. This new iron structure brought the first railway connection to the city, marking its importance as a major transport junction.
The bridge represents the industrial progress of the 19th century and shows how engineers of that era mastered iron construction. Visitors today appreciate the craftsmanship and building techniques that made such crossings possible at that time.
The bridge is easy to reach from both riverbanks and has wide paths for pedestrians to cross safely on foot. A renovation in 2007 enlarged the deck and made the crossing more comfortable for all visitors.
The bridge bears Gustave Eiffel's name, though he was not its primary designer, because the steel structure resembles his well-known engineering methods. This detail shows how deeply his techniques influenced bridge-building practices of the era.
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