San Antón Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Anton Bridge |
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Church of San Anton and bridge at night
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| Carries | Motor vehicles Pedestrians and bicycles |
| Crosses | Nervion River |
| Locale | Bilbao |
| Official name | Spanish: Puente de San Antón Basque: San Antongo zubia |
| Maintained by | Bilbao City Hall |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Number of spans | Two |
| History | |
| Architect | Hoffmeyer |
| Construction begin | 1871 |
| Construction end | 1877 |
The San Antón Bridge (in Spanish: Puente de San Antón, in Basque: San Antongo zubia) is a famous arch bridge in Bilbao, Spain. It crosses the Estuary of Bilbao, connecting two parts of the city: Bilbao La Vieja and Casco Viejo. This bridge is the oldest in Bilbao. The first bridge here was built before the year 1318. For many centuries, it was the only bridge that crossed the river in this area. It stands right next to the historic Church of San Antón.
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The San Antón Bridge: A Historic Landmark
The San Antón Bridge is a very important symbol of Bilbao. You can even see it on the city's official coat of arms! It also appears on the crest of the local football team, Athletic Bilbao. This bridge has a long history, going all the way back to the Middle Ages.
Why is This Bridge So Important?
The San Antón Bridge played a huge role in trade and travel. In the past, merchants had to use this bridge to move their goods from Biscay to Castile. It was the only way to cross the river, making it a vital pathway for centuries. This made the bridge a key part of the region's economy and history.
A Bridge Through Time
Over the years, the San Antón Bridge has faced many challenges. Big floods have washed away parts of the bridge several times. To fix this problem, the city decided to build a completely new bridge in the late 1800s. This new bridge was finished in 1880. However, its opening was delayed because it was damaged during the Carlist Wars, a series of conflicts in Spain.
Rebuilding History
The bridge had to be rebuilt again in 1937. This happened after it was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. The reconstruction in 1937 was the last major one. The bridge you see today is the one built at that time. It stands as a reminder of Bilbao's long and interesting history.
Images for kids
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A robot drawing
