Located on the Rabaçal River, its construction dates back the 17th century, probably replacing another bridge, because the apparatus integrates some ashlars with markings “forfex” (romans) and other acronyms of medieval origin. Possibly, integrated to the via roman which linked Leon and Astorga to Zamora and Salamanca. The tray is shaped into a smooth ramp only to half of its section, supported by five arches of unequal size. The triangulate cutwater shape, formed by staggered steps surmounted by gargoyles to drain water, is rather unusual. Its height led it to receive the epithet of Devil's Bridge.
The almost plane bridge’s tray, is roughly oriented West. - East, forming a smooth ramp, supported on five perfect round arches, being the central arch wider, with an 8.7 m radius, and successively smaller side, with intermediates of 4.15 m radius and 3.1 m extremes. The arches have shorter and wider staves, with regular outside, and in the soffit of the three central’s arches, a scaffolding set for the falsework mortise. The granite ashlars apparatus, is regular, in pseudo-isodomic rows, but presents elements from the original bridge such as the marked ashlars "forfex" and other acronyms. It presents reinforced piers, on both sides, by four triangular cutwater, staggered with pyramidal end, except for one of the cutwater, which is not staggered, possibly due to a more recent reconstruction. Upon these, and ending the two extremes arches, emerge six gargoyles to drain the water. Pavement formed by granite slabs, disposed orderly, protected by stone made defences, placed horizontally, on advanced cornice, and having small rectangular openings to drain water excess.
Location: Valpaços
The almost plane bridge’s tray, is roughly oriented West. - East, forming a smooth ramp, supported on five perfect round arches, being the central arch wider, with an 8.7 m radius, and successively smaller side, with intermediates of 4.15 m radius and 3.1 m extremes. The arches have shorter and wider staves, with regular outside, and in the soffit of the three central’s arches, a scaffolding set for the falsework mortise. The granite ashlars apparatus, is regular, in pseudo-isodomic rows, but presents elements from the original bridge such as the marked ashlars "forfex" and other acronyms. It presents reinforced piers, on both sides, by four triangular cutwater, staggered with pyramidal end, except for one of the cutwater, which is not staggered, possibly due to a more recent reconstruction. Upon these, and ending the two extremes arches, emerge six gargoyles to drain the water. Pavement formed by granite slabs, disposed orderly, protected by stone made defences, placed horizontally, on advanced cornice, and having small rectangular openings to drain water excess.
Location: Valpaços
