Roman Bridge

What it is

The Ponte Vella, which in Ourense they also call the Ponte Romana or Ponte Maior, was for centuries the only crossing over the Miño in this area, and the silhouette of its arches is one of the symbols of the city. Crossing it on foot is a natural part of any visit: it links the historic centre with the bank of the thermal promenade and is the route of the pilgrims on the Camino Mozárabe, the Vía de la Plata, to Santiago.

What you see and why it matters

• The Roman origin. Tradition attributes it to the time of Trajan, although its construction points to that of Augustus. It formed part of a secondary road between Bracara Augusta (Braga) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga), recorded in the Antonine Itinerary. Of the Roman bridge only some stone bases remain; in the first arch on the left bank Roman masonry can still be seen.
• The medieval bridge. The first documented reconstruction, in 1228 and 1229, was promoted by Bishop Lorenzo with the support of King Ferdinand III. The pointed arches and the ramps that climb towards the centre come from it.
• The consolidation. Because of poor foundations it collapsed more than once. The definitive refurbishment came in the 17th century, at the hands of Melchor de Velasco.
• The measurements. It is 370 m long. The central arch has a 43 m span and rises 38 m above the average water level. 7 of its 11 original arches survive, all of local granite.

Over the bridge there stood a tower, the one that appears on the city's coat of arms, demolished in the 19th century. At the south entrance, on the left bank, is the Casa do Legoeiro, and next to the bridge, the hermitage of Os Remedios, from the 16th century. The ensemble was declared a historic-artistic monument in 1961.

Getting there

From the Praza Maior and As Burgas, walk down towards the river through the old town. If you come by car, park outside the centre and approach on foot. From the opposite bank you can see the whole bridge, with the central arch outlined against the water.

How long and when to go

Crossing it and looking at it from both banks takes about half an hour. At sunset the river reflects the arches, and on foggy winter mornings the bridge appears out of the mist. Do it on the way to the thermal promenade.

From here, the thermal promenade

On the other side of the bridge begins the Miño thermal promenade: about 4 km of pedestrian path with up to eight thermal areas. The first, A Chavasqueira, is a few metres from the Millennium Bridge, the one from 2001, whose walkway rises up to 22 m above the river. At the end of the promenade are the pools and baths of Outariz.

With children, a dog or a pushchair

It is a free urban walk, suitable for everyone. The bridge has steep ramps towards the centre of the main arch: with a pushchair you can get up, but it is a struggle. With a dog, on a lead.