Maza bridge

What it is

A bridge of about 500 metres with 28 semicircular arches, slightly curved, crossing the San Vicente estuary. According to the town council's website, it was built in the 15th century, in the time of the Catholic Monarchs, to improve links with Castile; before that there had been a wooden footbridge since the 6th century. Today the N-634 runs across it, and you can cross on foot.

From the middle you get the classic view of San Vicente: the old town on its promontory, with the Castillo del Rey and the church of Santa María de los Ángeles behind, and the estuary at your feet. Tradition says you should cross it without breathing and make a wish; almost nobody manages it, and it usually ends in laughter.

The walk

The town council's one-day guide to San Vicente suggests crossing it from the harbour towards the beaches of La Maza and El Tostadero, two town beaches of fine sand and calm water, and seeing the ruins of the old convent of San Luis on the other side. At the foot of the bridge a new beach has formed, La Maza, which is also called Los Vagos. To return, cross by the Barquera bridge, pass the Old and New harbours and reach the Barquera sanctuary; from there you can go carefully to La Barra and finish at the Punta de la Silla lighthouse at sunset.

It is a flat walk, suitable for pushchairs and any age. Allow half an hour to cross at an easy pace and take photos, and an hour and a half if you do the whole loop.

Nearby

The town council's website places other points near the bridge to round off the walk: the Santa Marina chapel, the Virgen de la Guía chapel and the parish church of San Pedro Apóstol, as well as the entrance to the Oyambre Natural Park. If you come by car, park in the town and cross on foot: the bridge is part of a busy national road, and the experience is in walking it slowly, looking at the estuary on one side and the old town on the other.

When to go

Any time of day will do, but the best light is in the afternoon, when the sun drops over the estuary. At high tide the water fills the estuary under the arches; at low tide the sands are left exposed. Both versions deserve a photo.

What to combine it with

Beyond La Maza and El Tostadero you reach the Merón sands, and beyond them the Oyambre Natural Park. If you prefer the water, you can go paddle surfing on the estuary. And back in the town, climb through the Puebla Vieja to the churchyard viewpoint, from where you can see the whole bridge.