Puente de Piedra is an attractive Romanesque bridge located in the historic core of Zamora. Cross the bridge for superb views of the river and of the medieval walls, palaces and churches that comprise one of Spain’s most picturesque cities.
Built in the 12th century, the Puente de Piedra has 16 Romanesque oval arches and crosses one of the widest parts of the Río Duero (Duero River). Over the centuries it has been an important crossing point during the battles for control over this strategic town. The possession of Zamora has caused feuds within families and wars between empires.
Walk across the Puente de Piedra to gaze at the impressive city and take photographs. Zamora is celebrated for its Romanesque architecture and it has one of the highest concentrations of Romanesque buildings dating back to the 12th century. The bridge offers a fantastic vantage point from which to appreciate this historic city. Look back to the skyline to see the Torre del Salvador, the tower of the San Juan de Puerta Nueva Church and the stone roofs of Romanesque and medieval buildings.
The bridge has always been important for the transportation of cattle, food and people, and for many years it was the only crossing point of the river. Today the bridge is pedestrian-only, so feel free to take your time and stroll across at your leisure.
Stop by in the evening, when the bridge is illuminated with soft lights, creating a serene, magical atmosphere. Sunset is an especially enchanting time to cross when the burning sun reflects on the water and the stone buildings turn a golden hue.
Puente de Piedra connects to the Vía de la Plata and is 31 miles (50 kilometers) downstream from the border of Portugal. To get here, walk through the narrow streets of Zamora’s Old Town, past the San Cipriano Church, the cathedral and castle, along the city walls to where the bridge connects. Easily accessed by foot, it is only about a 10-minute walk from the main attractions in the Old Town.
