Valleseco Bridge

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Architecture · Subcategory: Squares, streets & markets · Year: 1903-1910?

This bridge that crosses the Valleseco ravine along the old road from Santa Cruz to Taganana was built at the beginning of the 20th century.  

The origin of this important public work at the time must be sought in the inauguration in 1903 of the La Jurada quarry, a nearby place from which the stone necessary for the construction of the outer breakwater of the Santa Cruz dock was extracted, which was then in full expansion. The transport of this stone to its deposit site was mostly carried out via a road that had to cross the lower area of several ravines.  

The Valleseco bridge was built with local masonry and has three wide spans resting on four robust foundations set in the riverbed. On its upper part there is a parapet on which an iron railing is set. 

For decades, pedestrians and goods circulated over this bridge, which over time were transported on foot, by beasts of burden and cavalry, steam locomotives and, finally, by cars, trucks and buses.

The new route of the modern motorway towards San Andrés, close to the coastline, left the old bridge as the only access route to the Valleseco neighbourhood when coming towards Santa Cruz; so it is still in use, although its function is now much reduced compared to what it once was.

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