Another memorable monument in monumental Toledo, the City of cultures to the world and plenty written in my blog. One aspect of it are the imposing gates around the fortified center, Needless to say again coming here since childhood days and always a must to visit while in my dear Spain, I am glad to have found me a picture in my cd rom vault and combine with an older picture from other post will condense into this one for you and me, Therefore, I like to tell you a bit more on the Puente de San Martin of Toledo !!! Hope you enjoy this post as I.
The Puente de San Martín is a medieval bridge over the Tagus river. It was originally built in the 13C, taking its name from the parish to which it belonged , San Martín, Around 1390, the construction of the large central arch and the two crenellated towers at either end. The bridge is constructed entirely of ashlar masonry. During the reign of Carlos (Charles) II of Spain, it was renovated, its approaches widened, and a century later it was paved. An inscription on the inner wall of the entrance tower, bearing the imperial coat of arms flanked by two seated kings, commemorates both renovations. The earliest existing document mentioning the existence of this bridge dates from 1301 and was a privilege granted by King Fernando (Ferdinand) IV. It had more arches to be planned due to the greater width of the Tagus river at this point. In the mid-14C, around 1355, Pedro I of Castilla is said to have set fire to the bridge gates during his struggles against his half-brother, Henry of Trastámara. In 1368, it suffered further damage and was restored by Archbishop Pedro Tenorio, a state councilor, builder, and reorganizer of the territory.
The Puente de San Martin bridge comprises three fundamental elements: The western tower, or Torre del Campo, the one furthest from the city, dating from the 14C; It has a hexagonal floor plan, its interior organized into four spaces covered by ribbed vaults, constructed of brick with their corresponding dormer windows and a portcullis in the central section. On its interior façade is a sculpture of Saint Julian and several inscriptions. At the opposite end, that is, next to the city, stands the eastern tower or torre de la Ciudad, which has a pentagonal floor plan and is less complex in its construction than the previous tower. As decorative elements, on the exterior façade facing the city, there is a small altarpiece with an image of the Virgin Mary, and on the opposite interior façade, the city’s coat of arms flanked by two seated kings and commemorative inscriptions alluding to its restoration in 1690, during the reign of Charles II. Between the two towers runs the bridge deck, with a uniform width, interrupted only by a widened section serving as a viewpoint overlooking the river, supported by three cutwaters. The bridge was laid around 1760, marking the definitive completion of the works. The ultimate purpose of constructing this bridge was the defense of the Toledo territory during the Late Middle Ages by controlling a crossing over the Tagus river, while also facilitating the passage of people and livestock to the territories located west of the city or the Montes de Toledo.
On the City side there is a small parque de San Martin park with benches and a mirador de San Juan lookout, and on the outer crossing the bridge you come to the Carretera Piedrabuena or CM401 road that takes your to the outer beltway of the City Carretera Circunvalacion or Ronda de Toledo with several miradores or lookout to the City just gorgeous !
The Toledo tourist office on the Puente San Martin: https://turismo.toledo.es/recursos/museos-y-monumentos/id1493-puente-de-san-martin.html
The Cultural site of the Castilla La Mancha region tourist office on the puente San Martin: https://cultura.castillalamancha.es/patrimonio/catalogo-patrimonio-cultural/puente-de-san-martin-de-toledo
The Castilla La Mancha region tourist office on the Puente de San Martin of Toledo: https://www.turismocastillalamancha.es/es/cultura-y-patrimonio/monumentos/toledo/puente-de-san-martin-(toledo)
There you go, you are all set to go, just lets your fingers do the walking and pack.Toledo awaits you, the world is welcome. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Puente de San Martin of Toledo !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 