Panorama of old Porto Dom Luis I Bridge and River Douro Portugal

A view looking downstream along the River Douro to the famous Dom Luis I Bridge / Ponte de Dom Luis I, which connects the towns of Vila Nova de Gaia... more

by James Brunker

Title

Panorama of old Porto Dom Luis I Bridge and River Douro Portugal

Artist

James Brunker

Medium

Photograph

Description

A view looking downstream along the River Douro to the famous Dom Luis I Bridge / Ponte de Dom Luis I, which connects the towns of Vila Nova de Gaia (left) and Porto (right), Portugal. The bridge was designed by Theophile Seyrig (a former business partner of Gustave Eiffel); construction started in 1881 and the bridge officially opened on 31 October 1886. Built of wrought iron, the original plan was for a single high deck before the 2nd lower deck was added. The longer upper deck is 1,297ft / 395m long and 148ft / 45m above the Douro River. Originally the bridge carried road traffic on both decks, and has been modified to carry both trams (on the upper deck), trolleybuses and, since 2005, the D-Line of Porto's Metro system on the upper deck (along with pedestrians). The lower deck carries road traffic and pedestrians.

Part of the historic La Ribeira district in Porto's Old Town can be seen on the right. The towers top right are part of the Se do Porto cathedral, the large white building to their left is the Episcopal Palace, below them are the 14th century Muralha Fernandina city walls / fortifications.

Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, publication, transmission or use in any form without written permission prohibited.

Uploaded

June 22nd, 2023