Roman Bridge of Negrelos

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Braga > Guimarães > Moreira de Cónegos

Location

The Roman Bridge of Negrelos is located at a point connecting two historic municipalities in northern Portugal, Guimarães and Santo Tirso. Specifically, on the Guimarães side, the bridge is integrated into the area of Moreira de Cónegos, serving as a centuries-old crossing over the river. Its strategic position has allowed it to be, since ancient times, an important crossroads in the landscape, surrounded by an environment that invites observation of ancient construction within its natural context and the passage of time.

A Roman Legacy

Dating from the 1st or 2nd century AD, the Roman Bridge of Negrelos is a remarkable testament to the Roman presence on the Iberian Peninsula. Originally, it was part of a secondary Roman road that connected the city of Porto to a crucial junction of the Braga-Mérida road, near Taipas. This monument, classified as a National Monument, stands out for its longevity and the relevance it has maintained over the centuries, continuing to be an active crossing.

Architecture and Its Stories

The bridge is built of stone, revealing a solidity typical of Roman constructions. Although it has undergone multiple transformations and repairs throughout its existence, the main characteristics of the Roman era, such as its arched structure and the granite slab pavement, have been preserved. Recent interventions, carried out with the guidance of specialists in archaeology and rehabilitation of historic masonry, have sought to preserve its essence, consolidating the structure and its original elements.

Archaeological Vestiges

During the restoration works, elements of great interest were discovered, revealing more layers of the bridge's history. Among them, a medieval inscription stands out, a four-letter inscription whose decipherment deepens the knowledge of its more recent past. Several masons' marks were also identified, small symbols engraved on the stones that function as "signatures" of the stonemason workshops involved in the original construction. Additionally, evidence of conservation works dating back to the 14th or 15th centuries was found, demonstrating the bridge's continued importance over time.

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