Alconétar Bridge

The Alconétar Bridge, also known as Puente de Mantible, was a Roman segmental arch bridge in the Extremadura region [1]. The ancient structure, which featured flattened arches with a span-to-rise ratio of 4–5:1, is one of the earliest of its kind [1]. Its design suggests that the bridge was erected in the early 2nd century AD by the emperors Trajan or Hadrian, possibly under the guidance of Apollodorus of Damascus [1]. The almost 300 m long Alconétar Bridge served as a crossing point for the Roman Via de la Plata, the most important north–south connection in western Hispania, over the Tagus [1]. The ruins, which were mainly to be found on the right river bank, were relocated from their original position in 1970 when the Alcántara reservoir was created [1].