Segura Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Segura BridgePonte de Segura |
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| Coordinates | 39°49′02″N 6°58′54″W / 39.8173°N 6.9817°W |
| Locale | Castelo Branco District,  Portugal |
The Segura Bridge is a very old bridge that connects two places. It links Segura in Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal, with the town of Alcántara in Spain. This bridge was built by the ancient Romans. It crosses the Erges River, which flows into the larger Tagus River.
The Segura Bridge has five arches. Arches are the curved parts that support the bridge. Only two of these arches are from the original Roman design. These two are the ones closest to the river banks. The other three arches were added later. They were rebuilt during the 16th and 19th centuries. The stonework from the 1571 rebuilding looks so much like the original Roman work that it's hard to tell them apart!
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What is a Roman Bridge?
A Roman bridge is a type of bridge built by the ancient Romans. They were amazing engineers. Romans built bridges to help their armies and traders move around easily. These bridges were often made of stone and used strong arches. Many Roman bridges, like the Segura Bridge, are still standing today. This shows how well they were built!
History of the Segura Bridge
The Segura Bridge has a long history. It was first built by the Romans many centuries ago. Over time, parts of the bridge needed repairs.
Rebuilding the Arches
In the 16th century, some parts of the bridge were rebuilt. This happened around the year 1571. Workers added new arches to replace old or damaged ones. They were very skilled stonemasons. Their work was so good that the new parts blended perfectly with the original Roman sections. Later, in the 19th century, more repairs and additions were made. This helped the bridge stay strong and useful for many more years.
Where is the Segura Bridge?
The Segura Bridge is located in the Castelo Branco District of Portugal. It crosses a border, connecting Portugal to Spain. This makes it a special landmark that links two countries. It's a great example of how old structures can still be important today.
Images for kids
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The Segura Bridge crossing the Erges River.
See also
- List of Roman bridges
- List of bridges in Portugal
- In Spanish: Puente de Segura para niños
