At the end of the 19th century, Porto felt the need for a new crossing over the Douro, until then made by boat or by the suspension bridge. One of the earliest projects is in fact a drawbridge of Gustave Eiffel, but it was his pupil, Théophie Seyrig, who wins with the design of the great iron bridge that is now known, being more suitable to the great traffic by having two boards.
At the end of the construction of the present bridge, the old suspension bridge had already been dismantled. Today the support pillars can be seen leaning against the foundation of the bridge Luiz I and from where one can enjoy the river view of the new Bar Pênsil.
In the upper board the electric cars for Gaia were crossed in the beginning of 20th century, retired in 1956. Today the bridge was adapted to the subway line and became one of the iconic sites to see the river Douro and, from the center, its two Banks, or dips to the lower board river, so commonplace of the sites.
Contacts
Ponte Dom Luís
4430 Porto
Map
Tags