Puente Romano, Mérida

The Puente Romano (Spanish for Roman Bridge) is a Roman bridge over the Guadiana River at Mérida in southwest Spain. The Puente Romano was built c. First Century CE. It is the world's longest (in terms of distance) surviving bridge from ancient times, having once featured an estimated overall length of 755 m with 62 spans. The piers are designed to withstand river current as they are rounded on the upstream side and square on the downstream side. Puente Romano has undergone at least two significant restorations: once by Sala, a Visigoth, in 686 and once by Phillip II in 1610. Seventeen arches were destroyed in 1812 as a defensive measure against at attack during the Battle of Badajoz. Today, there are 60 spans (three of which are buried on the southern bank) on a length of 721 m between the abutments.