Alcántara Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alcántara Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 39°43′21″N 6°53′33″W / 39.7224°N 6.8924°W |
| Crosses | Tagus River |
| Locale | Alcántara, Spain |
| Heritage status | Listed as cultural heritage since 1921 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Roman arch bridge |
| Material | Stone |
| Total length | 181.7 m (596 ft) |
| Width | 8.6 m (28 ft) |
| Height | 45 m (148 ft) |
| Longest span | 28.8 m (94 ft) |
| Number of spans | 6 |
| Load limit | 52 t (57 short tons) |
| History | |
| Designer | Caius Julius Lacer |
| Construction begin | 104 AD |
| Construction end | 106 AD |
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The Alcántara Bridge (also called Puente Trajan at Alcantara) is an amazing old stone bridge from the Roman Empire. It crosses the Tagus River in Alcántara, Spain. This incredible bridge was built a very long time ago, between 104 and 106 AD. The powerful Roman emperor Trajan ordered it to be built in 98 AD.
This bridge is a fantastic example of Roman engineering. It was built to connect different areas and help people travel and trade. It also showed how skilled the Romans were at building huge structures.
Contents
Building the Alcántara Bridge
The Alcántara Bridge was designed by a Roman engineer named Caius Julius Lacer. He created a very strong and lasting structure using stone. The bridge has six large arches that span across the river.
How Big is the Bridge?
The bridge was originally about 190 metres (620 ft) long. Today, it is 181.7 metres (596 ft) long. The six arches have different sizes. The largest arch is 28.8 metres (94 ft) wide. The smallest arches, closer to the riverbanks, are about 13.6 metres (45 ft) and 13.8 metres (45 ft) wide.
A Bridge Through History
Over its long history, the Alcántara Bridge has seen many events. It has been damaged and repaired several times. Despite this, it still stands strong today. It is a symbol of Roman power and building skills.
A Spanish Treasure
In 2007, the Alcántara Bridge was chosen as one of the 100 finalists for the 12 Treasures of Spain. This shows how important and loved this ancient bridge is in Spain. It is a true historical landmark.
Images for kids
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Illustration in a Spanish magazine, 1857 (shows the then current state with gap)
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Photo of the Alcantara bridge (c. 1870), by Jean Laurent, seen from the south
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Looking south, in the background the small temple with Lacer's grave
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The entrance of the temple with the crypt of the Roman engineer
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See also
In Spanish: Puente de Alcántara para niños
