Logbook · 11 places

Roman bridge of Talamanca

Talamanca de Jarama, Cuenca del Medio Jarama, Madrid

1 Villages · 6 Monuments · 1 Nature · 1 Curiosities · 2 Historical milestones

Spain › Community of Madrid › Cuenca del Medio Jarama › Talamanca de Jarama › Roman bridge of Talamanca

Roman bridge of Talamanca

Monument · Talamanca de Jarama, Cuenca del Medio Jarama, Madrid

A bridge over the Caz stream of Roman origin, dating from between the 1st and 2nd centuries, much rebuilt in medieval times. Declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (Spain's highest level of heritage protection) in 1997, it appears on the municipal coat of arms as the emblem of the ford that gave the town its strategic importance. It served a defensive function between the 9th and 10th centuries, integrated into the system of watchtowers and military roads with which the Muslims protected the Marca Media; after the Christian conquest, in the early 11th century, it became a compulsory crossing on the route to Toledo, and the Archbishopric of Toledo collected a toll from those who crossed it. Oriented north to south, it consists of five segmental and basket-handle arches irregularly spaced; the Jarama, which used to flow beneath it, now runs alongside the bridge after its course shifted eastward.

Photo: Anita1000 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

What to see and do in Talamanca de Jarama