Gravateira Bridge

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Braga > Vila Nova de Famalicão > Gondifelos > Granda

Location

The Gravateira Bridge is situated in the serene rural surroundings of Granda, part of the locality of Gondifelos, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão. Its peripheral location, over the waters of the Este river, grants it an atmosphere of tranquility, embedded in an old path that once served as a communication route in the region.

This picturesque setting offers a view of the surrounding natural landscape, ideal for those seeking a moment of calm and contact with local history, away from the urban hustle and bustle.

A Medieval Legacy

The Gravateira Bridge is recognized as a structure with a probable origin in the medieval period, a testament to centuries of history and connections between banks. Its original function, which it maintains to this day, was to serve as a crossing point, facilitating transport and circulation in the region throughout different historical periods.

This temporal attribution gives the bridge symbolic value as a link of continuity, uniting the past with the present and inviting reflection on the journeys that took place there.

Architecture and Materials

The impressiveness of the Gravateira Bridge is revealed in its construction using granite ashlar, the predominant material that lends it robustness and durability. Its deck, with a slightly inclined profile, rests on three semi-circular arches, each with distinct dimensions, with the central arch standing out for its greater span.

Constructive elements designed for its resistance against the river current are also observed, such as the triangular cutwaters on the upstream face and the stepped rectangular cutwaters downstream. Although the pavement has been adapted over time, it is now composed of granite cubes, maintaining aesthetic coherence with the original ashlar parapets.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt