Segovia Viaduct

Segovia Viaduct Viaducto de Segovia
East side of Segovia Viaduct
Coordinates	40°24′50″N 3°42′49″W / 40.41382°N 3.71366°W / 40.41382; -3.71366
Carries	Motor vehicles and pedestrians.
Crosses	Calle de Segovia (street)
Locale	Madrid, Spain.
Characteristics
Design	Arch bridge
Material	Reinforced concrete
Height	23 m (75 ft)
Longest span	35 m (115 ft)
No. of spans	Three
History
Architect	Francisco Javier Ferrero
Engineering design by	José Juan Aracil Luis Aldaz Muguiro
Construction start	1934
Construction end	1942
Rebuilt	1977–1978

The Segovia Viaduct is a viaduct in the La Latina neighborhood in Madrid, Spain. Throughout the centuries the area has been a major crossroad. The bridge's main function has been to facilitate access between the town and the Royal Palace of Madrid. A later version was built in 1934 to replace the previous iron one erected in 1874. The present one is the result of many restorations in order for its structure to accommodate the growing traffic demand. It spans Segovia Street, 25 meters below, from which it takes its name, although it is popularly known as "El Viaducto". Throughout its history, it had been a common site for suicide in Madrid until 1998.

Segovia Street lies in the basin at least partially formed by the old San Pedro Creek. In the Middle Ages, this ravine was one of the most important routes of entry into Madrid and connected the town with the old road to Segovia, which started on the other side of the Manzanares River. The Bridge of Segovia (1582-1584) succeeded in crossing the Manzanares, attributed to the architect Juan de Herrera, which replaced the original, built in the first half of the fourteenth century by Alfonso XI of Castile. Abundant in fresh water, the area in the wash of the basin of San Pedro enjoyed many orchards and was called El Pozacho, which was named after a waterwheel or similar hydraulic device which may have existed there. In an illustration by Anton van den Wyngaerde in 1562, the grade of the ravine is clearly seen.

Bailén Street ended abruptly at the edge of this ravine, forcing pedestrians to make the difficult descent and ascent to reach the area of the Royal Alcázar of Madrid. Access to and from what would become Segovia Street was gained by intricate arteries through various paths traversing the slopes.

Upon establishing the Royal Court in Madrid in 1561, King Philip II began to promote urban expansion. This conceptualization required an extension of Bailén Street crossing above and bridging the gap perpendicularly over this ravine, thus joining the Royal Palace area with Vistillas to the south and beyond.