Lousada
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The Bridge of Espindo features a single round arch supported on solid pillars that spring directly from the banks.
The width of the span led to the elevation of the arch and the placement of the tray on a trestle: in other words, with a double-ramp.
The Bridge is constructed in granite with irregularly-bonded batters that contrast with the regular stone bonding of the arch, which features well-cut voussoirs.
It is difficult to pin a date on this Bridge, though it resembles a medieval bridge, technically and constructively.
Bridges built in the Middle Ages had more importance placed on their foundations than Roman bridges and their designers sought steadier places for their installation.
These facts contributed towards the resilience of medieval bridges in the face of weather and floods.
On one end of the Bridge of Espindo, are the "Alminhas" [Shrines], wayside shrines associated with ancient Portuguese roads and the symbolic protection of travellers.
Type: Bridge
Route: Sousa Valley
1998 - The Bridge of Espindo is included in the Route of the Romanesque of Vale do Sousa (RRVS);
2004 - Conservation works in the building and its surroundings, carried out by the DGEMN, within the scope of RRVS;
2008 - Repair works in the Bridge of Vilela, within the scope of RRVS;
2011 - Works for the general conservation of the Bridge, under the scope of the Route of the Romanesque;
2015 - Works for the general conservation of the Bridge, under the scope of the Route of the Romanesque;
2018 - Replacement of wooden flooring with granite, under the scope of the Route of the Romanesque.
Free
Monument fully or partly accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
+351 255 810 706
+351 918 116 488
visitasrr@valsousa.pt
How to get here:
41.24348, -8.273541
Rua da Ponte de Espindo, Meinedo, Lousada, Porto
By Train
Douro Railroad (Porto-Marco Urban Trains or Porto-Régua/Pocinho Regional Trains), with exits at Meinedo station (1.6 km from Bridge of Espindo). Check here for all the schedules and price table.
By Car
Northern Portugal: A28/A3/A7/A24/A4 » A11 (Felgueiras) » Caíde » Rota do Românico/Ponte de Espindo.
Porto: A4 (Vila Real) » Penafiel/Lousada » Rota do Românico/Ponte de Espindo.
Central/Southern Portugal: A1 (Porto)/ A29 (V.N. Gaia) » A41 CREP » A42 (Felgueiras) » A11 (Felgueiras) » Caíde » Rota do Românico/Ponte de Espindo.
Lousada: Rota do Românico/Ponte de Espindo.