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Alcántara Bridge

Photo by Abel Domi

The history...

The Alcántara Bridge is an ancient Roman bridge built over the Tagus River. It was constructed between AD 104 and 106 during the rule of the Roman Emperor Trajan. The bridge was built by the Romans to show their engineering skills and to honor Emperor Trajan. Its name, "Alcántara," comes from the Arabic word for bridge, which reflects the long history of the region.

The Alcántara Bridge was built with large stones, carefully cut and fitted together, without the use of modern tools. The bridge is 194 meters (636 feet) long and stands 45 meters (148 feet) tall above the river. It has six arches, each one beautifully designed, and a large triumphal arch in the center to celebrate its completion and honor Trajan. An inscription on the bridge even dedicates it to the emperor.

The bridge has survived many challenges over the centuries, including wars and natural disasters. Parts of the bridge were damaged during different conflicts, but it was always repaired due to its importance. The bridge was even rebuilt during the Middle Ages and later periods, using similar techniques to the original Roman builders.

Today, the Alcántara Bridge is still standing strong and is considered one of the finest examples of Roman engineering.

Source ChatGPT