Portugal is full of fascinating places that attract visitors from all over the world. Although major cities stand out for their monuments and historic buildings, there are many lesser-known attractions that are worth exploring. In the north of the country, about two hours from Porto, there is an impressive and charming bridge that, despite not being as famous as others, surprises those who visit it. This is the Sardão-Meirinhos Bridge, a true engineering jewel integrated into a stunning natural landscape.
Located between the municipalities of Mogadouro and Alfândega da Fé, in the district of Bragança, in the heart of the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region, this bridge crosses one of the most rugged areas of the Sabor river. It is part of the IC5 route and plays a fundamental role in improving road circulation in the region, reveals the .
Although the Sardão-Meirinhos Bridge appeared on road maps more than 50 years ago, its construction was only completed in 2003, representing an important milestone for local development. The structure, made of pre-stressed reinforced concrete, has a total length of 560 meters and a main span of 160 meters. The width of the deck is 13 meters, while the pillars, with heights reaching 75 meters, were anchored in the rock. However, after the construction of the Baixo Sabor Dam, they ended up being submerged. To preserve the integrity of the bridge, the pillars were waterproofed with a special membrane.
In addition to its functional importance, the bridge stands out for its harmony with the surrounding landscape. The view over the Sabor River, especially on sunny days, offers a natural setting of great beauty.
However, the construction of the bridge was marked by tragedies. During the works, two fatal accidents occurred. In one of them, a 20-year-old young man, from Cinfães, lost his life after falling from a height of 30 meters, which led to the temporary suspension of work and the reinforcement of safety measures. Despite these difficult times, the Sardão-Meirinhos Bridge remains a symbol of engineering and natural beauty in Trás-os-Montes.
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