Kingdom Bridge: The Viaduct of Bronze Gargoyles
Why is it significant?
Gaze up at the four fearsome, dark bronze winged creatures perched upon towering grey granite pedestals at each entrance to this monumental city crossing.
Key Facts
| Place | Kingdom Bridge: The Viaduct of Bronze Gargoyles |
|---|---|
| Address | Gran Via del Marqués del Túria, 46005 València, Spain |
| Geo Coordinates | 39.46080, -0.35750 |
| Part of Walk | Valencia's Turia Riverbed Park and Historic Bridges: From Gothic Stone to Modernist Steel |
| Generated | Generated |
Gaze up at the four fearsome, dark bronze winged creatures perched upon towering grey granite pedestals at each entrance to this monumental city crossing. Known universally to Valencians as the Bridge of the Gargoyles, the Puente del Reino was designed by civil engineer Salvador Monleón Cremades and opened in December 1999. Spanning two hundred and twenty meters across the reclaimed bed of the Turia, it holds the distinction of being the longest bridge in the municipality of Valencia, connecting the prestigious Gran Vía with the modern avenues of the east.
The four monumental gargoyles that stand guard over the roadway weigh nearly three tons each and measure over four meters in height, cast in dark bronze using the lost-wax technique. Sculptor Juan Martí modeled the winged sentinels with a captivating, expressionist aesthetic that blends the medieval gothic bestiaries of La Lonja with the aerodynamic curves of European Art Deco. Their razor-sharp talons, coiled tails, and outstretched bat wings seem poised to take flight across the city at any moment.
The bridge's ornate streetlamps also pay homage to Valencia's golden age of metal casting: crafted from dark cast iron, their sinuous botanical stems and floral shades were inspired by early twentieth-century Art Nouveau lanterns. As dusk settles over the city, the warm glow of the lamps illuminates the menacing silhouettes of the bronze beasts, creating an atmospheric scene worthy of a Gothic fantasy film.
Notice the polished grey granite plinths supporting each creature: civil engineers designed them with specialized internal neoprene dampening joints, engineered specifically to absorb the continuous low-frequency vibrations generated by heavy metropolitan bus traffic and seasonal Mediterranean gale-force winds.
Walk leisurely eastward along the final bridge approach to take in the breathtaking, unforgettable northern overlook from the Monteolivete Bridge.