Bridges

Out of the eight bridges that Gustave Eiffel had engineered for the Girona railway company, the bridge in Colera has an important function of transporting passengers and cargo between Spain and France.

The bridge was erected in 1878 over the ravine where the town of Colera is nestled. During the Spanish Civil war (1936-1939), the bridge was a key strategic site for both sides and, despite numerous seaside and air attacks, has survived thanks to the artillery troops and antiaircraft systems of the Republican forces.

The pedestrian bridge next to Plaça Manuel Josep Iglesias Joan in the neighbourhood Germans Sàbat in Girona is one of eight Eiffel bridges that Gustave Eiffel, of the Eiffel Tower fame, had engineered for the Girona railway company.

In 1876, the bridge was mounted right in the city centre, on the street Carrer Cerverí. As Girona grew, the bridge had also moved around, until it landed on its present spot — a quiet residential area on the outskirts of the city.

The Clock Bridge (Pont del Rellotge), laid over the rail tracks in Girona in 1878 between the Devesa park and Avinguda de Ramon Folch, moved to Palamós in 1963 to connect the town centre with the Balitra neighbourhood.

Out of all eight bridges that Gustave Eiffel had engineered for the Girona railway company, the Clock Bridge has travelled the most distance away from its original location — 45 km.

Out of all eight bridges that Gustave Eiffel had engineered for the Girona railway company, the Iron Bridge (Pont de Ferro), also known as the Bridge of Red Beams (Pont de las Palanques Vermelles) and the Bridge of Old Fishmongers (Pont de les Pescateries Velles) has the quietest history to date.

The bridge connected the banks of the Onyar river in 1877, creating a link between the old town and the town market. Since then, the bridge has undergone several repairs but hasn’t been moved from its original location.

The Iron Bridge today is one of the beloved tourist spots in Girona, ideal for taking photos and selfies.

The bridge crossing the river Daró in La Bisbal d’Empordà was built in 1650 next to one of the fortification gates in town. The bridge became a convenient access point for locals heading to Girona.

In five centuries since then, the Old Bridge has been mentioned in the archives only once, in 1810, when general Henry O’Donnell leading the army against the French was injured right on the bridge. To repay the debt, Spain bestowed the title of Count of la Bisbal upon the general.