During our recent visit to Bilbao we visited an amazing bridge that is a quick Metro ride outside the city. The bridge connects the two sides of the Nervion River as it approaches its end in the Bay of Biscay. The Nervion is a defining feature of Bilbao with many bridges crossing it throughout the city. But this bridge is something special. It was built in 1893 and is the world’s oldest transporter bridge. A transporter bridge, also known as a ferry bridge or aerial transporter bridge, is a type of movable bridge that carries a segment of roadway across the river, which allows ship traffic to be able to pass. There are only 12 such bridges in use today. The locals call it the Puente Colgante, or “hanging bridge”.
You can cross the bridge two ways – (1) via the gondola that crosses at the level of the river, with room for 6 cars and dozens of passengers, or (2) by foot nearly 50 meters above the river. Unfortunately, due to the weather we could not take the “high road” and settled for a ride in the gondola. It was the best 40 centimos each ($0.50) we’ve spent in Spain. Although the ride only lasts 90 seconds, it is such a cool feat of engineering and architecture that you feel like a part of history. (It is a lot more expensive to walk across.) Since 2006 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We hope to return soon on a sunny day and take the "high" road across!
Shana & Jeff
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