Pont del Diable

The Pont del Diable, Spanish Puente del Diablo ( Devil Bridge '), also Pont de Sant Bertomeu (, Bridge of Saint Bartholomew ') called, is a medieval bridge over the river Llobregat in Martorell (Catalonia, Spain), the one on foundations rests earlier Roman bridge. Built in 1283 Devil's Bridge was having a clear span of 37.3 meters one of the largest bridges of its time.

History of the bridge

A first Roman bridge was built here around the year 10 BC, coming towards Tarraco (Tarragona ) led the Via Augusta of Barcino (Barcelona) over the Llobregat. Your exact shape and the number of arcs is unknown. Retain in its basic structure is still a triumphal arch from the Roman period, which marked the eastern entrance to the bridge and probably originally the slightly larger Arc de Berà (also on the Via Augusta located ) looked similar. In addition, there was once probably on the west bank just such a triumphal arch, which is, however, not been preserved. This bridge was until the end of the 14th century, the only over the Llobregat in its entire run.

The current bridge with a large pointed arch in the center was built in 1283 under the direction of Bernat Sellés on Roman foundations in the Gothic style, while stones of the old bridge were partly reused. The clear span of the arch is impressive 37.30 meters, its height 21 meters. The middle of the bridge is of an archway crowned the rises towards the road from both sides on stairs.

The Devil's Bridge in 1931 declared a historic monument in 1933 and extensively restored, but already blown up six years later in the Spanish Civil War of Republican troops in retreat. In 1963, the bridge was rebuilt in its old form. It is open only to pedestrian traffic.