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Spain was one of the first provinces to be incorporated into the Roman Empire (previously the Roman Republic) and was one of the last provinces to slip out of Roman control. It should come as no surprise there are many excellent Roman ruins to be found all over the country. New ancient ruins are being discovered all the time — including recently an all-new Roman lost city discovered near the Spanish Pyrenees.

Spain is also home to the longest surviving Roman bridge called the Puente Romano (or Roman Bridge in English). It is found in the stunning Spanish city of Merida (not to be confused with Merida, Mexico — one of Mexico's safest cities). The longest Roman bridge ever built was Trajan's Bridge which crossed the Danube River bridging modern-day Serbia and Romania.

History & Purpose Of The Puente Romano

The Puente Romano crosses the Guadiana River in the city of Merida in southwest Spain. The bridge was the first construction made in the Roman town of Emerita Augusta and was made to protect the Roman colony there from any attacks.

Merida was founded as a Roman colony in 25 BC as Emerita Augusta by the order of Emperor Augustus. It was built to be a retreat for the veteran soldiers (emeritus) of the legions V Alaudae and X Gemina (so Merida is from the Latin word "emeritus" meaning "retired" or "veteran").

It went on to become one of the most important Roman cities in Hispania (Spain). It was a regional capital and boasted all the comforts of a large Roman city.

  • Built: 1st Century AD

One of the city's most famous ancient monuments is the Puente Romano. The bridge has endured through time and has seen it all. Parts of the bridge have been done away with by battles and major flooding events. It has received restorations from the times of the Visigoths to the present day.

In reality, when the bridge was originally built by the Romans it was actually two bridges joined at an island called La Isla by a large cutwater that divided the river in two.

Related: Not Just Rome: Where You Can See The Incredible Roman Ruins Of Switzerland

Today the Archaeological Ensemble of Merida is one of the largest and most extensive archaeological sites in Spain and has been UNESCO World Heritage Listed since 1993.

Size & Engineering Of The Puente Romano

The Puente Romano was once an estimated 755 meters in overall length and had 62 spans. There are 60 spans remaining with three of them buried on the southern bank. Today it measures 721 meters between its abutments — taken together with its approaches it is some 790 meters long.

  • Original Length: 755 Meters (2,477 feet)
  • Height: Twelve Meters At Its Highest Point
  • Original Spans: 62 Spans

The bridge is built completely out of concrete lined with granite ashlar. The bridge's pillars have rounded cutwaters upstream so that they would be better able to handle the effect of the river current. It has been a bridge that has now stood for 2,000 years — longer than any modern bridge is likely to stand.

Visiting The Puente Romano Today

One can say the Puente Romano has very much withstood the test of time. It remains in use and still functions as pedestrian traffic (road traffic has been rerouted to the nearby Lusitania Bridge since 1991). Today anyone can visit the bridge and walk across it free of charge (there are no tolls or trolls on the bridge).

Next to the bridge is the Alcazaba of Merida which is an ancient Moorish fortification that was built in 835 by the region's Islamic rulers. It remains a very imposing Arabic Citadel in the city.

Related: This Ancient Aqueduct Is The Most Impressive & Best Preserved Roman Ruin

There are other Roman ruins to be discovered in the area as well. Close by, visitors can find the remains of a Roman aqueduct — the Acueducto de los Milagros as was as the ruins of another much smaller Roman bridge (called Puente de Albarregas).

Other significant Roman ruins in Merida include the Roman Circus, the Temple of Diana, the Arch of Trajano, and the House of Mithraeum.

While in Spain, take the time to visit Cordoba and see one of Spain's most historic cities with one of the most enduring Roman heritages. Another place to visit is the city of Lugo in Spain — it is famous for having the last nearly intact Roman city walls still standing.