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This is the oldest bridge in Madrid and it crosses over the Manzanares River on the way from Segovia, one of the main access points to the capital. Its construction began in 1574, according to the Provision of Philip II, by Construction Foreman Gaspar de Vega, who made the designs and established the conditions of execution. Declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1996, it is the oldest bridge in Madrid, which crossed the Manzanares on the way from Segovia, one of the main entrances to the capital. 

Upon the architect’s death in 1577, with the bridge only at its foundations, Juan de Herrera took charge of the project and created new designs. He changed the medieval designs and planned the first modern bridge: the gradient is horizontal. The bridge is formed by nine semicircular arches and built with granite ashlars.

 The Bridge has undergone several repairs throughout its history, with the intervention of notable architects. Between 1935 and 1943, it was worked on by the Gabinete de Accesos y Extrarradio and after the Civil War by the Jefatura de Obras Públicas. In the latter’s name, engineer Vicente Olmos increased the width from 28 to 101 feet, dividing the bridge in two and opening it.

Between 1955 and 1960, the same engineer restored the original elevations for the channelling of the Manzanares by digging up pillars and adding new lateral arches with its basins. As the Bridge was affected by the layout of the M-30, architects Pérez-Aciego and Quesada carried out remodelling projects for the access and lateral roads in 1985.

With the creation of Madrid Río,  the whole area around the bridge has been developed, with fountains, ponds and walkways befitting of the aesthetics and new design of the area.