Set - Roman road and bridge over the Tinhela river

Category: Archaeology > Ensemble

District: Vila Real > Murça > Murça

Location and Natural Surroundings

Located in the town and municipality of Murça, in the district of Vila Real, this historical complex is situated in the Trás-os-Montes region, on the right bank of the Tinhela River.

Its position is framed by natural elevations, such as the São Domingos and Garria mountain ranges, which define the surrounding landscape and lend a scenic character to the site, inviting the contemplation of nature.

A Link to Roman Antiquity

This site represents a valuable testament to the Roman presence on the Iberian Peninsula. The remains of the road and bridge are part of an important Roman road that, in Antiquity, connected the city of Astorga (in present-day Spain) to the mouth of the Douro River.

The original construction of this infrastructure dates back to the Roman Imperial period, more specifically to the 1st or 2nd centuries AD, a time of great consolidation of the Roman presence in the territory. After crossing the Tinhela River via this bridge, the original road branched off, heading towards Braga and the Douro valley. Its undeniable historical and heritage value has been recognized by its classification as a Property of Public Interest since 1983.

The Engineering of the Bridge over the Tinhela

The bridge over the Tinhela River is a remarkable stone structure, with a length of 12.5 meters, a width of 3 meters, and a height of 5 meters.

Its most striking feature is the robust round arch, a distinctive element of Roman architecture that provided great stability and resistance to the construction. This ingenious system allowed the bridge to support heavy loads with less material, efficiently distributing the weight throughout the structure.

Although its origin is Roman, the bridge has undergone important restorations over the centuries, including a significant intervention during the Philippine period. For this reason, it is also locally known as the "Philippine bridge," highlighting its continuous importance throughout history.

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