The longest bridge in Spain
The longest bridge in Spain spreads over more than 3 kilometres in total. 1400 of them stand above the water of the bay it sits in. It took almost 8 years to build this colossal structure, which is now among the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world. In order to see this striking architectural work that you should cross at least once in life, we will need to head to southern Spain.
The monumentality of the longest bridge in Spain
Only those who have ever crossed this bridge will understand its magnificence, and those who have the privilege of looking at it every day know that it’s a structure to remember. The Puente de la Constitución de 1812, also known as ‘Puente de la Pepa’, can be found in Andalucía. There is a reason behind this impressive construction: it was necessary to cross the Bay of Cádiz to link the capital city to Puerto Real, a nearby locality.
Since Cádiz has an insular character, its access is possible in three different ways: through the link in the Istmo de San Fernando, the José León de Carranza Bridge, and the article’s protagonist since 2015.
Its record figures
The imposing project reaches 40 metres in width and 187 metres in height, doubling the height of the popular Statue of Liberty. It is 3,000 metres long (5,000 considering its accesses), surpassing the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.
Its 1180-metre cable-stayed section is one of its main features and includes 61 voussoirs and 176 suspended cables. Besides, its 69 metres of clearance, the surprising distance between the deck and the water, make it the bridge with the highest vertical clearance in Europe.
Its main span, the space between the two main girders, is more than 500 metres long. It is high enough to allow ships to access its ports.
More than 100,000 cubic metres of concrete and 70,000 tonnes of steel were used in its construction. If you need any other reason to think of it as one of the most breathtaking bridges in Spain, you should know that it is also the longest road bridge in the whole of Spain. Around 19,000 people cross it every day, but it can fit 100,000 in total.
What lies beyond the Puente de la Constitución de 1812
Crossing the incredible work by the engineer Javier Manterola, its creator, is a visual experience. But it is also the link between some of the most charming areas in Andalucía.
Bridges are designed to link two spots. The Puente de la Constitución connects two main destinations that you should add to your bucket list: the city of Cádiz and the municipality of Puerto Real.
The wonders of Cádiz
The capital city that shares its name with the province it sits in can be visited anytime. The leisure offering is incredibly wide, and there are many breathtaking places to visit, such as the Santa Cruz Cathedral, the Pópulo district—one of the oldest in Europe—the Castle of Santa Catalina, the Roman Theatre, and the Monument to the Spanish Constitution, among many others. Besides, its popular taverns and taperías are ideal to take a break and enjoy the excellent flavours of the local gastronomy.
Puerto Real, a place full of history
If you’re looking forward to discovering the other side of the bridge, Puerto Real, you will find a spot full of history whose origins date back to the Catholic Monarchs’ reign. It has been a key location for the Spanish naval industry.
Its closeness to the capital of the province and other locations such as El Puerto de Santa María and Chiclana de la Frontera make it the perfect place to visit when in the region. Walking down its promenade, visiting the Pinar de las Canteras, exploring the Iglesia Prioral de San Sebastián and the Castillo de San Luis, or sunbathing on its beaches are great options to get the most out of this charming Andalusian location.
You can also read this article in Spanish here.
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