Bridges Over Toledo, Spain - Roman and 14th Century Delight

Bridges Over Toledo, Spain – Roman and 14th Century Delight

· by · in

Amongst Toledo’s historic attractions are two ancient bridges that are worth a look.

The Saint Martin’s Bridge (Puente de San Martín) dates back to 14th century. The Roman-era Alcántara Bridge (Puente de Alcántara) dating back to 104 AD, rebuilt in 866 AD and repaired several times more recently.

The Saint Martin’s Bridge and Alcántara Bridge both span the Tagus River (Río Tajo) as it winds through Toledo on its journey to Lisbon, Portugal before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

I found some interesting pictures of these famous Toledo bridges in with my vintage Spain postcards. This is the Alcántara Bridge with Toledo outskirts in the background.

Toledo Spain bridge postcard

Notice the cars in the foreground. This picture is probably from the 1970s.

toledo bridge cars

This postcard shows the Toledo Saint Martin Bridge with the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes up on the hill. Pictured in the center of the bridge, a car crosses following the path of the thousands of people and horses that have crossed on foot over the last seven hundred years. Toledo Saint Martin Bridge with the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes on hill

This close-up shows the lack of guardrails. What will stop the van parked at the edge from falling down the cliff and into the water? Scary!

Saint Martin Bridge Toledo van

This postcard picture shows Saint Martin Bridge from the Tagus River shore.Saint Martin Bridge in Toledo, Spain

A visit to the bridges makes a nice, laid-back, take-it-all-in escape from busy touring through the Historic Quarter and the many other activities in Toledo.

Learn more about Toledo: