Bridge Gate

The Roman Cordoba was a walled city, and one of its numerous entrances was located in the very place where the Puerta del Puente stands today. We know very little about this gate, except that it was topped by a statue, which would have represented a Roman deity, most likely the city’s protector, and it appears to have been Venus, the Goddess of Love.

The case during the Arab domination is quite different, as we know it was the main gate of the city, very close to the Caliphal Alcazar and the Great Mosque; on the other hand, we know it was known by several names such as Bab al-Qantara (Gate of the Bridge), Bab al-Wadi (Gate of the River), Bab al-Sura (Gate of the Statue), or Bab al-Yazira (Gate of Algeciras).

Historical Origin of the Puerta del Puente

We know that the Puerta del Puente already existed in Roman times although there is little information.

We must go back to the second half of the 16th century to learn about the first intention behind the works we know today, which were prompted by a visit the city was to receive from King Philip II. The initial plans were drawn up by the local artist Francisco Montalbán, but they did not meet the expectations of those who originally supported the project. There were several delays to the construction until, in 1575, the third Hernán Ruiz took charge of the works, with Corregidor Francisco Zapata being the true driving force behind them.

Architectural Description

The Puerta del Puente is built of sandstone ashlar. Divided into three main sections, the central one is presided over by a lintelled opening with a marked arrangement of voussoirs. On either side of the lintel are two pairs of fluted Doric columns resting on a rusticated base. Above them rises an entablature that runs along the entire perimeter of the gate, and higher up there is a frieze, composed of triglyphs and undecorated metopes, supporting a fine and delicate projecting cornice. On the shorter sides of the building, the fluted columns mentioned above are replaced by elegant, undecorated pilasters.

The Puerta del Puente in Andalusi Times

In the period of al-Andalus, the Puerta del Puente was the main gate of the city.

Regarding its decoration, the central section is topped by an unfinished circular pediment, featuring a relief of two warriors dressed in dalmatic and greguescos, displaying the shield of the Crown of Spain. Directly below is an inscription that reads: “During the reign of His Sacred Catholic Majesty Don Philip, our lord, the second of this name”. The rest of the decoration is found in the spaces between the columns in two reliefs: on one side, a woman is seated over the decapitated corpse of a man, thought to represent Judith and Holofernes; and on the other side, a female figure is depicted holding a child in her arms.

Contemporary Interventions

The Puerta del Puente was altered during the time of Mayor Salvador Muñoz Pérez, in the first third of the 20th century, turning it into a freestanding building, in other words, separating it from the wall to which it belonged, and transforming it into a kind of triumphal arch. And as Don Miguel Ángel Ortí Belmonte relates, this is nothing but a serious archaeological error, typical of the period when it was done. Another major error was leaving the gate sunk below street level after the works on the Ronda de Isasa, parallel to the river; however, there are plans to restore at least this section of the road to its original height, that is, in line with the bridge.

Visiting the Puerta del Puente

If you are wondering what to visit in Cordoba, a good option would be the Puerta del Puente, choosing one of our guided tours. Choosing quality tourism means choosing ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.