The Boutaca Bridge
THE BOUTACA BRIDGE
The construction of the viaduct baptised the Bridge of Boutaca, a name associated with a property once found on this site and belonging to the Master Builder Boitaca, was begun in the second half of the 19th century, in 1862 to be precise, during the reign of King Luís, as we see carved into a milestone set in the gutter of the road leading to the bridge in the north – south direction. This neo-gothic rectilinear structure, 60 m by 7 m, is set into six ogival arches, interspersed with various connecting abutments. The side walls are in stone masonry topped off with balustrades with a quatrefoil motif. The abutments feature pinnacles at the top. Two Romantic pavilions, resembling ancient toll booths, flank the bridge at each end. These are rectangular in shape, 5.70 m by 3.80 m, set into a high sloping base and finished off with fleur-de-lis stone balustrades, with pinnacles at the corners. A hip roof covers the pavilions, which have ogival-arched windows and doors opening onto the bridge.
SERVICES - ACTIVITIES
HIGHLIGHTS
