Mead or La Caleta Bridge

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Memory · Subcategory: Sites of memory · Year: S. XVIII

This small wooden bridge built in the first half of the 18th century spanned the Aceite ravine, also known as “El Barranquillo”, in its final stretch near the coast. 

The bridge was known as Mead because it was located next to the house of the wealthy merchant Juan Mead. It was also called La Caleta Bridge, as it was the extension of the old street of that name.

This bridge was crossed in the early hours of 25 July 1797 by Nelson's troops, commanded by Captain Toubridge, in their search for the Castle of San Cristóbal, after their hasty and troubled landing further south. 

Being so close to the sea and having little height above the nearby Carnicerías beach, the bridge suffered numerous mishaps both from the periodic floods of the ravine when it rained heavily, and from the strong waves when the sea was rough.

The Mead or La Caleta Bridge possibly existed until 1810, when the Barranquillo ravine was vaulted over in its final stretch.

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