Vizcaya Bridge

Vizcaya Bridge

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Cultural: i, ii
Reference	1217
Inscription	2006 (30th Session)

The Vizcaya Bridge (Bizkaiko Zubia in Basque, Puente de Vizcaya in Spanish), is a transporter bridge that links the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas (part of Getxo) in the Biscay province of Spain, crossing the mouth of the Nervion River.

For the locals it's commonly named Puente Colgante that is Spanish for Suspension Bridge. That constitutes a misnomer, because it is really a transporter bridge, being a different structure from a suspension bridge. However, the common name is widely used in the area and even in the official website.

History

It is the world's oldest transporter bridge and was built in 1893, designed by Alberto Palacio, one of Gustave Eiffel's disciples. It was the solution given by the engineer to the problem of connecting the two towns without disrupting the maritime traffic of the Port of Bilbao and without having to build a massive structure with long ramps. The service was only interrupted four years during the Spanish Civil War, when the upper section was dynamited. From his house in Portugalete, Alberto Palacio could see how his master work was partially destroyed just before his own death.

On July 13th of 2006 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Operation

View along the top of the bridge

The bridge, still in use, is 164 meters long and its gondola can transport six cars and several dozens of passengers in one minute and a half.

It operates every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day all year round, with different fares depending on the time of day, and is integrated into Bilbao's Creditrans transport system.

There are two new visitors lifts installed in the 50 meter high pillars of the bridge that allow walking over the bridge's platform, from where the tourists can see the port and the Abra bay.

Image gallery

• Vizcaya Transporter Bridge, commonly called "Puente Colgante".
  Vizcaya Transporter Bridge, commonly called "Puente Colgante".
• 
  Closeup of the gondola.
• A large ship crossing under the bridge.
  A large ship crossing under the bridge.
• 
  The bridge emerges from the fog, view from Portugalete.

External links

• http://www.puente-colgante.com
• http://www.guiabizkaia.com/gbilbao/portu/Index.html
• UNESCO World Heritage Official Site with the Bizkaia Bridge profile
• Portugalete Transporter Bridge at Structurae

43.3231°N 3.0169°W / 43.3231; -3.0169