The Roman bridge of Segura, Spain, and the importance of historical studies for conservation works

Abstract

The Roman bridge of Segura, Spain, is a construction of great historic significance, situated at the Spanish/Portuguese border on the Eljas River. Since Roman times, the structure has known different changes in history – five at least. In this paper, the set of historical changes is described, by unifying previously published data and also some new previously unknown data about the bridge and also about the people who made the different rebuilds. The information allows conceiving different hypotheses on how the bridge might have been at different times, since its origin to the present day. The results show the importance of combining visual, critical, historical and geometrical data to having a complete frame of the different stages of the construction evolution; moreover, the different ways of solving structural problems through history are exposed. Finally, the value of accurate and thorough visual inspection and historical study in achieving better conservation is remarked on.