Great Bridge over the Côa River

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Guarda > Almeida > Vilar Formoso

Location

The Ponte Grande (Great Bridge) over the Côa River is located in the locality of Vilar Formoso, in the municipality of Almeida, Guarda district. It stands over the waters of the Côa River, set within a rural and rugged landscape, punctuated by granite formations. This location offers direct contact with the surrounding nature and allows for observation of the river as it meanders through the region's rocky outcrops, creating a scene of tranquility and natural robustness.

Architecture and Engineering

This bridge, built of granite stonework, is a testament to the engineering of past centuries. Its name, "Ponte Grande," highlights its size and importance in crossing the Côa River. Its original construction is conjecturally attributed to the 17th century, with the possibility of it having been designed by the military engineer David Álvares.

Structurally, the bridge is distinguished by its flat, tripartite deck, which rests on three segmental arches. These arches are flanked by cutwaters, elements designed to mitigate the force of the water. Particular attention should be paid to the first cutwater, located on the southeast side, which features a fan shape, optimized for effective force distribution over the granite bedrock.

History and Significance

Throughout its existence, the Ponte Grande played a significant role in regional communications, serving as a vital crossing point that likely replaced an earlier crossing, possibly by ferry.

The bridge's history is also marked by a significant intervention in the 19th century. On the bridge's parapet, on the southwest side, there is a commemorative column marking its rebuilding, carried out between 1824 and 1825, under the orders of D. João VI. The inscription, engraved in Roman letters on this column, perpetuates the memory of this work.

Its strategic importance is underscored by its participation in decisive moments in Portuguese history, particularly during the Peninsular War. It was in its vicinity, and sometimes even from its structure, that the Battle of the Côa was fought on July 24, 1810. This confrontation, an episode of the Third French Invasion, saw Anglo-Portuguese forces resist and achieve a victory over the French troops, consolidating itself as a moment of bravery in the country's military history.

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