Ancient and modern: a road bridge now spans the Llobregat river at La Pobla de Lillet in Catalonia, Spain, beside the medieval Pont Vell or Old Bridge, built in the 1300s AD. The Pont Vell now has a single high donkey back arch, but there may once have been a second arch and the ashlar foundations of the pillars suggest Roman origins.
La Pobla de Lillet, Berguedà, Catalonia, Spain: a modern carriageway now takes road traffic over the fast-flowing Rio Llobregat beside the restored Pont Vell (Old Bridge) or Pont Gran, a toll bridge built in the early 14th century in response to a flurry of bequests and donations to fund its construction. The medieval bridge probably has much earlier origins, with squared ashlar blocks supporting the pillars at either end suggesting an earlier crossing here might be Roman. The Pont Vell now has a single graceful donkey back stone arch, but once have had a second arch. The bridge has been restored many times over the centuries. The most recent major restoration was in 1984, when one of the pillars was strengthened with reinforced concrete, the medieval walls were consolidated, surviving parts of the medieval pavement were preserved and a new cobbled pavement was laid. The Rio Llobregat is the second longest river in Catalonia, after the Rio Ter. It flows for 170 km (105 miles), discharging into the Mediterranean south of the city of Barcelona.
Size: 4146px × 2759px
Location: La Pobla de Lillet, Berguedà, Catalonia, Spain.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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