Segovia Bridge

The Segovia Bridge is the oldest bridge in Madrid, built between 1582 and 1584 by architect Juan de Herrera. This Renaissance bridge crosses the Manzanares River and connects Segovia Street to the rest of the city.
The bridge is made of granite and has nine semicircular arches. Over the centuries, it has undergone several restorations, especially after being damaged during the Spanish Civil War. Today, it is part of the Madrid Río park, a very popular pedestrian and recreational area.

The road to Segovia, one of the most important access routes to Madrid, once crossed the Manzanares on the city's oldest bridge, which has been a listed building since 1996. Its construction at the behest of Philip II began in 1574 under the direction of the court architect Gaspar de Vega, who completed the design and determined the conditions for execution.
After the architect's death in 1577, only the foundation of the bridge remained, the further construction of which was now taken over under a new design by Juan de Herrera. This replaced the medieval design with the first modern bridge construction with a horizontal plate. The bridge has nine eyes with round arches and is made of embossed granite blocks.
Over the course of its history, the bridge has undergone several repairs using notable architects in the service of the city. For example, from 1935 to 1943 on behalf of the access roads and outskirts office or after the Spanish Civil War on behalf of the municipal building authority. As part of the latter, the engineer Vicente Olmos extended the planum from 8.65 to 31 m by opening the bridge and dividing it into 2 halves.
To channel the manzanares, the same architect restored the original supports from 1955 to 1960. For this purpose, pillars were exposed and new side openings with associated ramps were inserted. Due to the disruption caused by the M-30 urban highway, the architects Pérez-Aciego and Quesada carried out renovation work on the access roads and side elements in 1985.
As part of the design of Madrid Río, the entire area around the bridge received a new face in the form of fountains, ponds and promenades in line with the appearance and new concept of the area.

Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1996, it is the oldest bridge in Madrid, which led over the Manzanares to the Segovia road, one of the main accesses to the capital. Its construction began in 1574, according to Philip II's Provision, and is in charge of the Senior Master of Works of His Majesty, Gaspar de Vega, who made the plans and established the execution conditions.
Upon the architect's death in 1577, with the bridge in its foundations, Juan de Herrera took charge of the works, making new designs. It changes the medieval layout and designs the first modern bridge: the grade becomes horizontal. The bridge is formed by nine eyes in a semicircular arch and built with padded granite ashlars.
The bridge has undergone various repairs throughout its history with the intervention of notable architects at the service of the Town. Between 1935 and 1943 they were ordered by the Access and Surroundings Cabinet, and after the Civil War by the Public Works Headquarters. On behalf of this, engineer Vicente Olmos expands the width of the deck from 8.65 to 31 meters, dividing the bridge in two and opening it.
For the canalization of the Manzanares, the same engineer restored the original elevations between 1955 and 1960, unearthing pillars and adding new lateral mouths with their basins. Affected by the route of the M-30 in 1985, the architects Pérez-Aciego and Quesada carried out works to remodel the entrances and sides.
With the creation of Madrid Río, action has been taken around the bridge, providing it with accompanying fountains, ponds and walks in accordance with the aesthetics and new design of the area.