Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge
District: Vila Real > Chaves > Chaves > Quinta da Estação
This remarkable structure, a testament to Roman engineering, is located in the municipality of Chaves, in the district of Vila Real, in the North region of Portugal. It is situated in the town of Chaves itself, specifically in the Quinta da Estação area, crossing the Tâmega river.
Its central position in the city allows visitors to appreciate its historical grandeur framed by the river landscape and the surrounding urban environment, which still preserves traces of centuries of history and offers views over the river.
The bridge and columns are a direct link to the time of the Roman Empire, having been built during the reigns of emperors Vespasian (69-79 AD) and Trajan (98-117 AD). This period marked the zenith of Roman presence in the Iberian Peninsula and the construction of vital infrastructures for its administration and expansion.
Formerly known as part of Via XVII, or Via Nova, an important road connecting Bracara Augusta (Braga) to Asturica Augusta (Astorga), the bridge served as a fundamental axis for the movement of troops, goods, and people, contributing to the prosperity of ancient Aquae Flaviae, Roman Chaves, famous for its thermal waters.
The Roman Bridge of Chaves is a robust and enduring example of Roman civil architecture. Built of granite masonry, with its well-defined arches and massive structure, it demonstrates the skill of Roman engineers in overcoming geographical challenges and creating works that would withstand the test of time.
The two commemorative columns, which accompany the bridge, are distinctive elements of great symbolic value. Erected to perpetuate the memory of the emperors who sponsored them, these columns reinforce the monumentality of the ensemble, serving as historical markers that testify to the importance of the work and the grandeur of the empire that conceived it.
More than a mere passage over the river, this architectural ensemble is an eloquent symbol of Roman constructive capacity and its lasting influence on the landscape and culture of the region. It represents the historical continuity of Chaves, from a Roman thermal city to a contemporary urban center.
The site invites visitors to contemplate not only the beauty of ancient engineering but also its resilience and the role it has played in shaping the territory over two millennia, making it an undeniable landmark in the city's heritage.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_romana_(Madalena)
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.738544,-7.467503
Coordinates DMS: 41°44'18.8"N 07°28'3.0"W
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