The Toledo Bridge is located in Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain. It is in the Churrigueresque Baroque style and was built between 1718 and 1732 by the architect Pedro de Ribera Pérez. It crosses the Manzanares River, linking the districts of Carabanchel and Arganzuela.
In 1956 it was declared a historical-artistic monument, making it a Site of Cultural Interest with the category of Monument.
History
The origin of this construction dates back to the 17th century, when Philip IV of Spain planned to link the town of Madrid with the Toledo road by means of a bridge over the Manzanares River.
Pedro de Ribera was commissioned to build the current bridge in 1715. However, the project was not resumed until 1718, when the corregidor Francisco Antonio de Salcedo y Aguirre, Marquis of Vadillo, decided to finish the work. Work began in 1719 and was completed in 1732.
Design
The bridge, with a baroque design, is made up of a central part formed by nine semicircular arches with solid buttresses and drums that end in balconies. The deck is 4.95 metres wide.
In the central area there are two niches or temples decorated with Churrigueresque elements and containing limestone statues of the patron saints of Madrid, San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza, made in 1723 by the sculptor Juan Alonso Villabrille y Ron with the collaboration of Luis Salvador Carmona.
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