Pont de la Margineda Travel Guide

The Pont de la Margineda, constructed around 1487, is a captivating bridge located in Santa Coloma, in the Andorra la Vella Parish. Spanning the Gran Valira River, Andorra's largest river, this medieval bridge is a registered heritage property, recognized as a Cultural Heritage site of Andorra.Historically, the bridge was strategically positioned on the Royal Road, the sole path connecting Sant Julià de Lòria with Andorra la Vella through Santa Coloma. Its location was carefully chosen at the mouth of La Portella d'Aixovall, a mountain pass separating Andorra la Vella from Sant Julià, allowing the Royal Road to split into sunny and shaded routes.The bridge is made of stone, featuring a single, semi-circular arch with a 9.20-meter span. Reaching a height of over 9 meters and a length of 33 meters, the archstones are constructed from pumice to reduce the bridge's overall weight, while the walls are made of granite. This delicate balance has allowed it to withstand floods that have destroyed other historic bridges in the nation.Beside the bridge, a sculpture by Valencian author Andreu Alfaro commemorates the first Congress of Catalan Language and Literature, symbolizing the link between Andorra's past and present.