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Bridges

Bridges

The Guadalquivir River is one of the most important attractions of Seville and thanks to it many civilizations settled here, leaving behind their customs and cultures.

The river can be crossed by various bridges built during different periods of the city's history.

On the occasion of Expo '92 many bridges were built, such as the Puente de la Barqueta, Puente del Alamillo, Puente del V Centenario, all providing a modern touch to the city.

El río Guadalquivir

The Greek geographer, historian and philosopher, Estrabón, once said that Seville is a reputable city describing its river banks the following way: " The countryside that border its shores and the small islands found on the river's path are cultivated with care the greatest care. The landscape provides beautiful views of lands decorated with forests and other types of plants.

Hispalis, the eminent commercial center of the Bética hosted large boats capable of transporting up to 400 tones, though presumably tugged by smaller boats due to their difficulty of movement. It was the Arabs that were later taken back by the beauty of Betis (name given by the Romans for the river). They named it wadi al-kabir (Guadalquivir), or Great River.

It was during he 13th C when the Torre del Oro (Gold Tower) reflection first glimmered on the waters of the Guadalquivir. With the discovery of the New World, the Guadalquivir took on an incomparable importance and thanks to this Seville's port became the departure point of waves of men, ships and materials destined for the Caribbean islands and the exploration of the coasts of the American continent. At the same time Seville received all incoming shipments from the New Continent.

A 12th C ship-bridge connecting Seville with Triana stood until the mid 19th C when the Isabel II bridge, better known as the Puente de Triana, was build in its place.

The port of Seville lost its importance with the progressive deterioration of the river's bed, a condition which blocked the passage of ships. This caused for a decrease in commercial activity. In 1717 the commercial monopoly with America was shifted to Cádiz. This marked the start of a major economic crisis in Seville. Although this triggered various actions to avoid further problems, including floods which affected the city, such defensive moves could not impede the exodus of many of it's river inhabitants, which reached its limits in 1948 with the covering up of Chapina. However, thanks to the 1992 Expo, the river has ceased to be a DARSENA and today its waters flow freely.

Since then the river has become an integral part of all types of leisure activities, inviting residents and visitors to fully enjoy its banks by providing numerous ongoing events and attractions.

The unburying of Chapina recovered some 4 km of the river. From San Jerónimo to the floodgate, the Guadalquivir's recovered a pleasant 11.4 km stretch. The river banks now boast numerous important examples of gardening, landscaping and the restorations of historic building such as: the Monasterio de San Jerónimo, the Monasterio de San Clemente, and the Cartuja de Santa María de las Cuevas.

Other worthy projects sprung up after the demolition of the wall along Torneo street. This shoreline area of some 2600 meters located in front of the Expo grounds of la Cartuja provided a space entirely dedicated to sport and leisure. Numerous new bridges were also constructed as a result of the area's renovation.

Los puentes de Sevilla

Entering from the north end of the city stands the Puente del Alamillo, built along the shores of the Guadalquivir in 1991. What stands out most of this structure is its 140 meter mast with its 58º inclination and from which three crosspieces support its base. The architect is Santiago Calatrava.

Further down the river past the Convento de San Clemente stands the singular bridge which to most Sevillians represents the '92 Expo, the Puente de la Barqueta. This structure connects the north of the Cartuja Island with historic old quarters of Seville. Single arches on both sides are joined by a triangular doorway and it height reaches 214 meters. Built in 1989 it stretches along the shores of the river bank set at the foot of the Cartuja Island.

Following along the Torneo street one finds the Puente de la Cartuja, a foot bridge which links this road with the Monasterio de Santa María de las Cuevas. This 1991 structure has an 11 meter wide base and a single arch frame which hangs over the Guadaquivir and from here one has a perfect view of Monastery.

Next is the Puente del Cristo de la Expiración, also known as the Cachorro (the Puppy). This bridge resolves communication with Triana, while also being the natural exit towards the province of Huelva. This bridge has the peculiar characteristic of covering in canvas its walkways. Aside from its aesthetic contribution it is also a great relief to those that walk it during the summer months.

One of the most emblematic bridges in the city is the Puente de Isabel II, the first iron bridge in the city, built in 1852. It is also known as the Triana bridge. It was built on the site of an earlier ship-bridge and was declared a historic monument on April 13, 1976. It was a project of engineers, Gustavo Steinacher and Ferdinand Bennetot during 1845 and 1852. It was modeled after the no longer standing French Carrousel (inaugurated in Paris in 1834), which incorporated the Ponaceau system, which excluded the use of wood.

The Puente de San Telmo, erected between the years 1925 and 1931 link the Puerta de Jerez with the Plaza de Cuba. A functional bridge, it solved the problems of communicating the two areas just at the time when Los Remedios neighborhood was in its planning stages. It was a mobile bridge up until the early 1970s. Later, converted into a fixed structure, this encouraged a shift of port activity down the river.

Up ahead from this point stands the Puente de los Remedios, which unites the historic round a bout with the neighborhood of Los Remedios.

Past the Port of Seville one finds the Puente de las Delicias which connects the southern part of the city with the Avenida de Garcia Morato (Avenue). Built in 1992, this structure has independent levels which open up as a draw-bridge, allowing the passage of ships and boats to the Port. One of the planks is conditioned only for cars, the other for cargo trains.

The last bridge that crosses over the Guadalquivir was constructed in 1991 for the '92 Expo. It is the Puente del V Centenarios (500th Anniversary Bridge) and is part of the SE-30 bypass. This enormous 2 km long viaduct's main base is sits 45 meters above the river, thus avoiding any port traffic. It is the highest port point in the city and offers magnificent panoramic views.

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