Dúrcal
El Puente Medieval o Romano
Although evidence of its origin only dates back to medieval times, the oldest bridge in Dúrcal is popularly known as the Roman bridge. The bridge is located close to the Camino Real (Royal Road) (GR-9067), which led up to the area of Las Fuentes, where the remains of a Roman villa have been found.
The Durcal River cuts through the plain, hence the need for bridges. There are four here, all close together: the Roman Bridge, the Puente de Lata (Iron Bridge), which was once a tramway and is now a footpath (see below); the Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge), also known as the Isabel II Bridge; and the Puente Nueva (New Bridge), which was built in the mid-20th century from reinforced concrete.
Our Roman (or Moorish) bridge is a pack horse bridge with a single stone arch. This term refers to a simple construction in which the road surface rises and falls in line with the external profile of the arch. The term 'pack horse' means that the surface is too steep for a horse and cart. The bridge is made of medium-sized masonry stones, probably from the river, joined with lime concrete and ochre plaster. It is assumed that this work was carried out during the Andalusian period and that the bridge was in regular use until the mid-nineteenth century. Located on Calle Calvario.