Segovia Bridge

Declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1996, this is the oldest bridge in Madrid, which spanned the Manzanares River on the road to Segovia, one of the main access routes to the capital. Its construction began in 1574, according to a decree by Philip II, and was overseen by the Master Builder of His Majesty, Gaspar de Vega, who drew up the plans and established the construction specifications. Upon the architect's death in 1577, with the bridge still at the foundation stage, Juan de Herrera took charge of the works, creating new designs. He altered the medieval plans and designed the first modern bridge: the road surface was made horizontal. The bridge consists of nine semicircular arches and is built with rusticated granite blocks. The bridge has undergone several repairs throughout its history, with the involvement of notable architects in the service of the city. Between 1935 and 1943, the works were ordered by the Access and Suburbs Office, and after the Civil War by the Public Works Department. On behalf of the latter, the engineer Vicente Olmos widened the deck from 8.65 meters to 31 meters, dividing the bridge in two and opening it up. For the channeling of the Manzanares River, the same engineer restored the original elevations between 1955 and 1960, unearthing pillars and adding new side entrances with their basins. Affected by the construction of the M-30 ring road in 1985, the architects Pérez-Aciego and Quesada carried out remodeling works on the access points and sides. With the creation of Madrid Río, work has been carried out throughout the area surrounding the bridge, providing it with fountains, ponds, and walkways in keeping with the aesthetics and new design of the area.