World Heritage Sites Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France -Pont Vieux, Espalion
Posted by: arby101ca
N 44° 31.346 E 002° 45.823
31T E 481223 N 4929927
Pont Vieux, the old red arched bridge over the Lot River at Espalion is a one of the UNESCO world heritage sites for the Chemins de St Jacques de Compostelle 868-040
Waymark Code: WMPD5B
Location: Occitanie, France
Date Posted: 08/11/2015
Views: 12
Pont Vieux served as a crossing of the Lot River on the pilgrimage route starting at Le Puy. The next stages downstream on the Lot included Estaing, Entraygues and Conques. Just upstream from Pont Vieux at the edge of town is Eglise de Perse, a historical chapel associated with the Abbey of St Foy at Conques.
Pont Vieux has four arches spanning 12.6, 15.5, 12.55 and 8.2 meters, right to left in the pictures. The river is ~60 m wide and the total length of the bridge including approaches is ~72 m. The height is ~12 m. The date of construction is not known but the first bridge at this location has been attributed to Charlemange in 780. A bridge here is mentioned in a charter dated 1060 in the abbey at Conques. The arched bridge was likely built early in the 14th century. The bridge was once fortified with drawbridges and towers at each ends. These were demolished when the bridge was renovated and widened from 3.66 to 4.35 m in the 18th century. The bridge is constructed of red sandstone except for the granite parapets.
Type: Monument
Reference number: http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/868/multiple=1&unique_number=040
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