Click photo for a larger view. ©2012 David A. Porter
As you approach the historic center of Córdoba, one of the first structures to grab your attention is the city’s famous Roman bridge. And, if you look beyond the bridge, you can also see the Cathedral-Mosque of Córdoba looming over the skyline.
I was pretty excited to see this beautiful panorama unfold before my camera after spending most of the day exploring this beautiful city with our friends from Abercrombie & Kent. As you can see from my photograph below, we had quite a few more clouds as we made our jaunt across the bridge in the morning.
Click photo for a larger view. ©2012 David A. Porter
History (via Wikipedia)
The bridge was built by the Romans in the early 1st century BC, perhaps replacing a previous one in wood. It currently, after the Islamic reconstruction, has 16 arcades, one less than original ones, and a total length of 247 meters. The width is around 9 meters.
The Via Augusta, which connected Rome to Cádiz, most likely passed through it. During the early Islamic domination the Muslim governor Al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani ordered a bridge to be built on the ruins of what was left of the old Roman construction. In the Middle Ages, the Calahorra Tower and the Puerta del Puente were built at the bridge’s southern and northern ends, respectively (the latter is now a 16th-century reconstruction). The bridge was reconstructed and expanded to its current size. The arches depict the famous Moorish architecture that dominates the city’s scenery. In the 17th century, a sculpture depicting St. Raphael was put in the mid of the bridge, executed by Bernabé Gómez del Río.
During its history, the bridge was restored and renovated several times (in particular in the 10th century), and now only the 14th and 15th arches (counting from the Puerta del Puente) are original. It was extensively restored in 2006.
You know, I’m very pleased to live in the good ole USA, but there’s nothing quite like walking through a city that was founded before the time of Christ, was once the largest city in the known world, was conquered and ruled by Muslims, recaptured by the Spanish, and today is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The history that overhangs this town is mind-boggling to consider.
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