Ponte antiga sobre o Rio Gilão, Ancient Roman stone arch bridge in Tavira, Portugal
The Ponte antiga sobre o Rio Gilão is a stone arch bridge that crosses the Gilão River in the center of Tavira, Portugal. Reserved for pedestrians, it is built from cut stone blocks that are still visibly fitted together despite their age.
The bridge was built during the Roman period and served as an important route for traders and travelers moving through the region. In 1989, a severe flood destroyed two of its arches, after which it was restored by 1992 and its foundations were reinforced.
The bridge connects the two banks of the Gilão and is crossed daily by locals and visitors on foot. From it, you have a direct view of the old houses and churches of Tavira, making it a natural stopping point during a walk through town.
The bridge sits in the heart of Tavira and is easy to reach on foot from the surrounding streets of the old town. It is open at all times and works well as a starting point for a walk through the historic center.
After the 1989 flood, the military erected a temporary metal structure over the river so that residents could keep crossing while restoration work was underway. This makeshift crossing stayed in place for several years before the stone bridge was fully usable again.
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