Albarregas Roman bridge

The Albarregas Roman bridge (Spanish: Puente Romano sobre El Albarregas) is a Roman bridge located in Mérida, Spain. The bridge, which is built of granite, crosses the river Albarregas, a tributary of the Guadiana. It is part of the Vía de la Plata.^[1]

Albarregas Roman bridge
Coordinates	38.923464°N 6.349177°W / 38.923464; -6.349177
Locale	Mérida, Spain
Statistics
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Roman Bridge over Albarregas River
Type	Cultural
Criteria	iii, iv
Designated	1993 (17th session)
Part of	Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida
Reference no.	664-019
Region	Europe and North America
Spanish Cultural Heritage
Official name	Puente Romano sobre El Albarregas
Type	Non-movable
Criteria	Monument
Designated	13 December 1912
Reference no.	RI-51-0000111
Location

It has been protected since 1912.^{[citation needed]} It is a Bien de Interés Cultural and part of a World Heritage Site.^[2]

History

This bridge was constructed around the same time as the other Roman bridge in the city, the one that spans the Guadiana River, towards the end of the 1st century BC, during the reign of Emperor Augustus. It marked the northern exit of the city, where one had to cross the Albarregas River. It was an extension of the cardo maximus of the Roman city, one of its two main streets. Here began the important road from Emerita to Asturicam, known as the ab Emerita Asturicam (Vía de la Plata), extending up to Astorga, as well as another road leading west to Olissipo, present-day Lisbon.^[3] The bridge runs parallel to the nearby Acueducto de los Milagros.^[4]

See also

• List of Bien de Interés Cultural in the Province of Badajoz