Viaduc d'Ormaiztegi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Viaduc d'Ormaiztegi |
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| Coordinates | 43°02′33.07″N 02°15′32.86″W / 43.0425194°N 2.2591278°W |
| Locale | Ormaiztegi, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Multiple-span Deck truss bridge, Lattice girder, viaduct, bridge |
| Material | wrought iron |
| Total length | 291.5 m (956 ft) |
| Height | 35 m (115 ft) |
| Number of spans | 53.2 m (175 ft), 3×60.5 m (198 ft), 53.2 m (175 ft) |
| Design life | 155 years |
| History | |
| Designer | Alexandre Lavalley |
| Constructed by | Société de construction des Batignolles |
| Construction end | 1863 |
| Inaugurated | 1864 |
The Viaduc d'Ormaiztegi or Ormaiztegi Viaduct is a special kind of bridge called a viaduct. It is found in Ormaiztegi, Spain. This bridge used to carry a railroad line that connected Madrid to Irun. Today, it is no longer used for trains but is an important historical monument. It is known for its unique design, called a lattice girder structure.
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What is the Ormaiztegi Viaduct?
A viaduct is like a very long bridge that crosses a valley or a low area. The Ormaiztegi Viaduct is a great example of this. It was built using a special design called a lattice girder. This means its main supports look like a criss-cross pattern, similar to a lattice fence. This design makes the bridge very strong.
When was the Viaduct Built?
The Viaduct was designed by a French engineer named Alexandre Lavalley. The building work was finished in 1863. It was a big project for its time, showing off the engineering skills of the 1800s.
Why was the Viaduct Rebuilt?
Sadly, the viaduct was damaged during the Spanish Civil War. This war happened many years after it was first built. Because the bridge was so important for the railway, it had to be rebuilt. The reconstruction was completed in 1940, making sure trains could use it again.
Why is the Viaduct a Historical Monument?
In 1996, the viaduct was no longer needed for trains. A new, modern viaduct was built nearby to take its place. To stop the old viaduct from being taken down, people decided it was a very important part of history. It was officially made a historical monument. This means it is protected and kept safe because it has been a symbol of Ormaiztegi for over 130 years.
How Big is the Ormaiztegi Viaduct?
The Ormaiztegi Viaduct is quite large! It is 291.5 metres (956 ft) long, which is about the length of three football fields. At its highest point, the viaduct stands 35 metres (115 ft) tall. That's as high as a 10-story building! Its impressive size shows how clever its design was for its time.
Images for kids
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The Ormaiztegi Viaduct in the past.
See also
In Spanish: Viaducto de Ormáiztegui para niños
