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Bridge of María Cristina

Alcoi/Alcoy, L'Alcoià, Alicante

1 Villages · 9 Monuments · 3 Nature · 2 Activities · 2 Curiosities · 5 Historical milestones · 2 Food and drink

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Bridge of María Cristina

Monument · Alcoi/Alcoy, L'Alcoià, Alicante

The first public bridge in Alcoi, built in 1838, is one of the more than 30 bridges that give the city its nickname, 'city of bridges'. The works, commissioned from municipal architect Juan Carbonell, began in 1830; after suffering damage from torrential rains, they were continued by Manuel Fornés and José Serrano. It crosses the Barchell river, also called the Riquer, measuring 87.30 metres long, 15.75 wide and 27.50 high: it is a masonry structure, with stone piers, cast-iron railings and lamp posts, pointed side arches and a central round arch. It is named after María Cristina de Borbón-Dos Sicilias, fourth wife of Ferdinand VII, although it is popularly known as the bridge of Cervantes, after the promenade dedicated to the writer that has run alongside it since 1905.

Photo: Joanbanjo (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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